Tag: Self Driving Cars

Navigating the Data Privacy Landscape for Autonomous and Connected Vehicles: Implementing Effective Data Security

Autonomous vehicles can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, including those with malicious intent. Identifying an appropriate framework with policies and procedures will help mitigate the risk of a potential attack.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a layered approach to reduce the likelihood of an attack’s success and mitigate ramifications if one does occur. NHTSA’s Cybersecurity Framework is structured around the five principles of identify, protect, detect, respond and recover, and can be used as a basis for developing comprehensive data security policies.

NHTSA goes on to describe how this approach “at the vehicle level” includes:

  • Protective/Preventive Measures and Techniques: These measures, such as isolation of safety-critical control systems networks or encryption, implement hardware and software solutions that lower the likelihood of a successful hack and diminish the potential impact of a successful hack.
  • Real-time Intrusion (Hacking) Detection Measures: These measures continually monitor signatures of potential intrusions in the electronic system architecture.
  • Real-time Response Methods: These measures mitigate the potential adverse effects of a successful hack, preserving the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.
  • Assessment of Solutions: This [analysis] involves methods such as information sharing and analysis of a hack by affected parties, development of a fix, and dissemination of the fix to all relevant stakeholders (such as through an ISAC). This layer ensures that once a potential vulnerability or a hacking technique is identified, information about the issue and potential solutions are quickly shared with other stakeholders.

Other industry associations are also weighing in on best practices, including the Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s (Auto-ISAC) seven Key Cybersecurity Functions and, from a technology development perspective, SAE International’s J3061, a Cybersecurity Guidebook for Cyber-Physical Vehicle Systems to help AV companies “[minimize] the exploitation of vulnerabilities that can lead to losses, such as financial, operational, privacy, and safety.”

Article By Adam J. Brody, John J. Rolecki, Jeffrey M. Stefan II, Andrea M. Gumushian, and Justin M. Wolber at Varnum LLP

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© 2022 Varnum LLP

Autonomous Driving Means Big Bucks For Everyone

New insights from McKinsey & Company demonstrate one common theme: the more autonomous vehicles take over the world, the more money saved and the more revenue earned by almost everyone. McKinsey interviewed over 30 industry experts around the world and came up with Ten Ways Autonomous Driving Could Redefine the Automotive World. Interestingly, they are all cash positive.

How will we all make money? Here is just a partial list according to McKinsey:

  • Labor cost savings. These are already being seen in mining and farming applications today. In those areas, autonomous vehicles can work in closed, private environments without the general safety concerns of the open road. As McKinsey notes, look for construction and warehousing sectors to adopt next.

  • Uber has disrupted the taxi business. Investors just might salivate at the chance to back a similar company – with no concerns about drivers at all.

  • Auto insurance may be totally different. If everyone owns an autonomous vehicle, traditional coverage for liability for accidents will no longer need to be a primary concern. Manufacturers of autonomous vehicles though will need significantly more coverage. Who bears this cost, and who gets the cost savings on insurance will be an interesting question.

  • Supply chain logistics will surely be more efficient with autonomous vehicles. This will also lead to flexibility, which surely will lead to cost savings.

  • Productivity. What is your commute time? Do you drive? For all people that drive to/from work, autonomous vehicles will free up substantial time during the day. During this time, more work can be done. Of course, for those who do not work, digital media revenues could explode as people seek ever more entertainment on their phones. How much time? McKinsey put the global number of saved commuting time at over one billion (billion!) hours. One billion hours of work, or, watching cat videos.

  • Decreased accidents = decreased costs. McKinsey cites that roadway crashes cost the US economy $212 billion in 2012. Cutting that even in half is a huge savings.

Autonomous vehicles are coming. Their impact is still speculative. But there is no doubt that when they do finally arrive, one generation will suddenly find itself thinking that the idea of driving your own car is impossible to fathom.

ARTICLE BY Jeffrey A. Soble of Foley & Lardner LLP
© 2015 Foley & Lardner LLP