Cyberattacks are an increasingly common occurrence for a spectrum of industries. Rising cybercrime affects everyone, but certain sectors are more at risk than others. In 2023, the auto industry could face particularly significant dangers.

Attacks in the automotive space can impact automakers, automotive fleets, and consumers alike. Reducing these risks will be crucial as more cybercriminals seek to capitalize on the sector’s vulnerabilities.

A Growing Problem

The need for automotive cybersecurity first came into the spotlight in 2015, when 1.4 million vehicles were recalled in the first and so far only security-related car recall. This came after researchers demonstrated how an attacker could remotely control a connected car. Since then, internet-connected vehicles and attacks targeting the industry have only become more common.

In June 2020, a car manufacturer halted production across most of its North American plants after a ransomware attack. Manufacturing has become a popular target for cybercriminals, with ransomware leading the charge. As a particularly high-value manufacturing sector, auto production stands as a tempting target.

This trend will likely grow as cybercrime and automotive vulnerabilities rise. The auto industry could see a wave of cyberattacks in 2023, causing significant damage if it doesn’t adapt to new security needs.

Why the Auto Industry Is at Risk

Connected cars are one of the most significant factors driving these risks. These vehicles feature connectivity and include autonomous features, so attackers have more potential entry points and can do additional damage once inside. Self-driving vehicle sales could reach 1 million units by 2025 and skyrocket after, so these risks will grow quickly.

Automakers also face risks from connected manufacturing processes. This trend has emerged in other sectors that have embraced IT/OT convergence. One-quarter of energy companies reported weekly DDoS attacks after implementing Industry 4.0 technologies. Their attack surfaces will increase (Read more...)