Cybersecurity in Autonomous Vehicles: Fortinet’s Vision for Safe Mobility

Sitting here after my third coffee, I can’t help but feel both jazzed and exhausted about where the world is heading—autonomous vehicles (AVs) are no longer a thing of the future. They’re here. And they’re packed with technology. Warning: long rant about cybersecurity ahead!

Growth of Autonomous Vehicles

AVs have come a long, long way. Remember when cars had cassette decks? Heck, I started my career in 1993 as a network admin, fancying myself modern as I managed voice and data over PSTN. Fast forward, and here we are. Now, cars practically drive themselves. The staggering innovations are like culinary masterpieces blending technology more ambitiously than I ever thought in my early networking days.

Here’s the thing—AVs are more than just cars. They’re complex systems guided by intricate computer networks, which makes them as vulnerable as any other endpoint on a network.

Cyber Threats to AV Systems

With great technology comes not-great consequences (disclaimer: not original wisdom). Autonomous vehicles are vulnerable to a host of cybersecurity threats including:

• Hacking: Cybercriminals can gain remote access, control, or manipulate AV systems. Not just harmful—potentially deadly.
• Data Breach: Vehicles collect vast amounts of data that hackers might drool over, from location data to personal information.
• Software Vulnerabilities: Outdated or unpatched software—yeah, I’m looking at you, tired IT admin—is a field day for threat actors.
• IoT Devices: The more gadgets, the more potential vulnerabilities—and AVs are overflowing with IoTs.

Having once tangled with the Slammer worm myself, I know just how disruptive vulnerabilities in network systems can be. Point is, AVs must tread with caution.

Fortinet’s AV Security Tools

Fortinet is out here doing big things in AV cybersecurity, and I’ve had the opportunity to peek into their toolkit—right after my recent zero-trust architecture upgrades for three banks. Here’s the lowdown on what makes Fortinet’s approach worth considering:

• Layered Defense: Fortinet embraces a multi-layered protection approach (think of it like onions or lasagna layers)—authorized access checks, anomaly detection—everything.
• Network Firewalls: Firewall, firewall, firewall. They’re not just for enterprise networks; these bad boys secure intra-vehicle communications.
• Data Encryption: Encrypted communication between dongles and dashboards (because if your AV isn’t encrypted, is it even really an AV?).
• Real-Time Monitoring: Detecting threats in real-time before they compromise vital systems.

My inner skeptic remains cautious about anything labeled “AI-powered.” Fortinet wisely uses their neural networks with the help of human intelligence, not in replacement of it—combining man and machine in their security measures.

Future of Secure Autonomous Mobility

The reality of secure autonomous mobility requires each stakeholder (manufacturers, consumers, and cybersecurity companies) to uphold their ends of the bargain. My recent venture at DefCon got me buzzing post-hardware hacking village—there’s so much to consider for the future.

For secure autonomous mobility, we need collective efforts such as:

• Developing industry-wide standards for AV security.
• Continuous updates and patch management for AV infrastructure.
• Ongoing education on potential cyber threats for manufacturers and users alike.
• Proactively investing in research and development (R&D) to counteract evolving threats.

And most importantly, a commitment from every corner of the industry to prioritize cybersecurity. Because after all, what’s the point of having an autonomous vehicle if it’s not safely guiding your journey?

Quick Take

• AVs are complex and loaded with tech—security is paramount.
• Cyber threats include hacking, data breaches, and IoT vulnerabilities.
• Fortinet’s suite offers layered defense, encryption, and real-time monitoring.
• A secure AV future demands collective effort and robust security measures.

As I sit at my desk now, musing how my journey from a networking admin to a cybersecurity consultant has spanned decades—and many cups of coffee—I know we’re on the cusp of something huge. Let’s make sure it’s as safe as it is revolutionary.