The Code: Cybersecurity Issues Surrounding Automated and Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Just imagine the possibilities a driver could experience with the arrival of autonomous vehicles. The assistance drivers will get by “driving” cars equipped with autonomous vehicle technology are so appealing that it will become a pleasure rather than a burden to drive. Indeed, the advantages are highly appealing, but unfortunately, there are concerns over technological vulnerabilities that may arise as autonomous vehicles become more prominent. Eventually, vehicles will become fully autonomous. These cars will use built-in sensors that detect and monitor other vehicles and receive input regarding its surroundings. Moreover, autonomous vehicles will also share data with each other and “learn” from each other. Nevertheless, system outages because of misconfiguration, ransomware attacks, and threats are important risks that need to be addressed. Otherwise, the technology will do more harm to the public than good. Therefore, this essay will address the vulnerabilities arising from potential ransomware attacks and the susceptibility of misconfiguration.