Vehicles already provide multiple communication interfaces and are increasingly using more automation features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems. The automotive industry is currently developing fully connected autonomous vehicles. The electronic architecture used in these vehicles will be completely different from that of conventional vehicles. It must be capable of recording increasingly larger volumes of data and reliably processing it in much shorter timeframes. Through this, all driving functions will be designed to be controlled perfectly, and security requirements are also increasing.

The SecForCARs project, which focuses on autonomous vehicles, is clearly differentiated from existing research activities in automotive IT security. Connected vehicles will play a major role in achieving autonomous driving. For example, vehicles can alert each other to situations such as road damage or icy conditions, thereby improving safety. However, to do this, the electronic devices installed in vehicles must be protected from external attacks. This research project aims to explore and evaluate innovative mechanisms that meet these requirements.

This research project seeks to find answers to the following questions: How should connected autonomous vehicles be designed to enhance security? How will security vulnerabilities in such vehicles be tested to ensure there are none? How will manufacturers and technology partners quickly resolve security vulnerabilities if they are discovered later?

This research project involves experts in IT security and autonomous driving fields. Volkswagen and Audi are participating as automotive companies. Component suppliers include Infineon Technologies and Robert Bosch. ESCRYPT, Itemis, Mixed Mode, and SCHUTZWERK are participating as representatives of tool vendors and the security industry. Additionally, leading research institutions and universities will share their latest research results for this project. These institutions include Ulm University, Braunschweig University of Technology and Technical University of Munich, Free University of Berlin, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, and Fraunhofer AISEC and IEM institutes. SecForCARs will run through March 2021.