Unmanned, Unprotected? The Cybersecurity Challenges of Autonomous Systems

Unmanned, Unprotected? The Cybersecurity Challenges of Autonomous Systems

Over the past decade, advances in computing, artificial intelligence, and precision engineering have converged into a wide array of new autonomous systems. Warehouses and factories now feature robots capable of working independently, adapting to their surroundings as needed. Multiple technology and automobile companies are currently road-testing and refining autonomous vehicles. Moreover, various sectors, including defense, construction, and even the medical industry, have already embraced autonomous drone technology all over the world.

While the advantages offered by autonomous technologies are numerous, they also represent a substantial new digital frontier for businesses to safeguard. Moreover, there are already real-world examples of exploits that exploit security vulnerabilities in autonomous systems. However, it is unlikely that businesses will slow their rate of adoption of autonomous systems to allow the cybersecurity industry to catch up. Consequently, it is crucial for business leaders to understand the challenges and risks associated with autonomous systems. This will enable them to exercise caution when adopting these technologies and implement reasonable security measures to maximize safety.

In this article we delve into the major cybersecurity challenges posed by autonomous systems and explore how to address them using existing solutions and innovations.

The Main Cybersecurity Challenges Posed by Today’s Autonomous Technologies

Given the diversity among autonomous systems and the multitude of developers and vendors involved, it is impossible to fully catalog every risk a business may encounter when using autonomous technology. Nonetheless, several major cybersecurity issues frequently arise with autonomous systems, including:

• Lack of adequate encryption: Autonomous systems often lack encryption entirely or rely on inadequate encryption technologies. This leaves them vulnerable to data theft and tampering by unauthorized users.
• Software vulnerabilities: Like many cutting-edge technologies, autonomous systems often suffer from software vulnerabilities.
• Physical vulnerabilities: Because autonomous systems often operate unsupervised, their physical security becomes a concern. The likelihood of an attacker gaining physical access to make changes to such systems is higher compared to most other technology types.
• Communication security weaknesses: Autonomous technologies often depend on wireless communications to stay connected to business networks and control systems. Unfortunately, many utilize proprietary communication systems that may not be adequately secure.
• Weak authentication systems: Similar to early IoT devices, autonomous systems frequently struggle with weak authentication schemes and issues related to user authorization.

Addressing the Cybersecurity Challenges of Autonomous Systems

While there will always be inherent risks associated with the use of autonomous systems, businesses can take steps to mitigate these risks. The primary and most crucial approach is to collaborate exclusively with autonomous technology developers known for delivering secure products. Alternatively, if such developers are not available, opt for those committed to transparency with customers and open to receiving comprehensive feedback. This strategy helps minimize the inherent risks associated with the products adopted by the business and accelerates the resolution of identified risks by the developer.

Additionally, businesses can adhere to essential cybersecurity principles when integrating new autonomous technologies into their networks. To achieve this, they should concentrate on the following strategies.

Use Network Segmentation to Isolate Autonomous Systems

Given that businesses cannot always depend on the security of emerging autonomous technologies, it’s crucial for them to take every possible measure to segregate these technologies from other digital assets. One effective method is to leverage network segmentation and VLAN technology to isolate potentially vulnerable autonomous systems within the business network. This approach can mitigate the impact in case of a cyberattack breaching the business’s defenses by exploiting the autonomous system as an entry point.

Deploy State-Of-The-Art Encryption

Businesses should also deploy strong encryption using the latest encryption standards. Wherever possible, they should use the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption on all networks that support autonomous systems. Additionally, they should use it to encrypt any and all data that the autonomous systems use or interact with. This can limit the damage if an attacker manages to exfiltrate data from a compromised autonomous system.

Create a Reliable Firmware and Software Update Process

As is true with all fast-developing technologies, autonomous systems tend to receive a higher volume of firmware and software updates than more mature technologies. They also receive those updates far more frequently. Applying all available updates when the developer provides them is a key step in keeping those systems secure. Therefore, businesses need to establish a reliable firmware and software update process for their autonomous systems. For businesses with few autonomous systems to cover, this may involve the purchase of additional systems to use for update testing before rollout in production. For businesses with large autonomous system footprints, update testing using digital twin technology might be warranted to keep costs low.

Bolster Physical Facility Security

For businesses deploying on-premises autonomous systems, such as factories and warehouses, it is also a good idea to bolster their physical security measures and procedures. This should include surveillance in any areas where autonomous systems operate and strict access controls that limit entry to necessary personnel only.

For businesses adopting autonomous technologies that operate outside of business facilities, it is advisable to investigate and implement any applicable anti-tampering measures. This may involve physical alterations to autonomous hardware to facilitate tampering detection or the adoption of software solutions capable of detecting changes made to running firmware and software.

Adopt a Zero-Trust Security Model

Finally, businesses planning to adopt or those already utilizing autonomous technologies should transition their digital systems to a zero-trust security model. This approach should encompass all of the business’s digital assets, including autonomous systems whenever feasible. Implementing this strategy will offer significantly enhanced control over user access to all systems and facilitate the detection of unauthorized access attempts for cybersecurity personnel.

Your Trusted Cybersecurity Partner

Staying updated on the specific cybersecurity challenges associated with rapidly evolving autonomous technologies is no simple feat. However, Outsource IT is poised to aid businesses seeking to uphold their digital security while embracing the latest advancements in autonomous systems. Our cybersecurity experts possess the necessary training and experience to manage the integration of such systems effectively and ensure their protection. Additionally, we can serve as a valuable source of knowledge for businesses at various stages of autonomous technology adoption. To discover how Outsource IT can assist your company in securely embracing autonomous technology, reach out to one of our knowledgeable account managers today.

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