Regulatory uncertainty over AV cyber security is limiting development

Autonomous vehicles are coming, and the technology which will power these almost sentient machines is already being tested across the globe, both in private tests hidden from the public eye, and in tests on public roads. But while the industry will inevitably be capable of creating and developing technology to power these machines, it is becoming clear just how challenging it will be to protect them.

Automakers need to ensure their vehicles pass the relevant national or regional safety requirements, but in future connected and autonomous vehicles will need to also protect themselves on the virtual battlefield, and a number of ethical hackers have already proven that connected fleets are hackable today. Yet despite well-publicised hacks, and growing concern about cyber security, there remains a lack of clearly defined standards in any region to govern minimum standards of cyber security for autonomous and connected vehicles.