Warwick University develops £2.1m simulator to combat car hacking
A £2.1 million simulator at the University of Warwick will let researchers test how hackers could attack autonomous and connected vehicles, and how to stop them.
A £2.1 million simulator project at the University of Warwick is aiming to help automakers identify and defend against cyberattacks targeting autonomous and connected vehicles. The facility, led by Professor Carsten Maple, is designed to let researchers simulate real-world hacking attempts in a secure environment, including attacks that exploit wireless networks, embedded SIMs or mobile devices connected to vehicles.
The simulator is housed inside a Faraday cage, which prevents external wireless signals from interfering with tests or allowing attacks to escape. This lets engineers and scientists safely recreate hacking scenarios that could affect cars in the real world, including those seen in high-profile incidents such as the remote compromise of a Jeep Cherokee via its mobile network connection.
How the simulator works
The research team will use the simulator to put both vehicles and drivers through a range of cyberattack scenarios. By introducing simulated threats, whether through DAB radio, Wi-Fi, mobile networks or malicious software on a paired device, they can observe how the car's systems and the human occupant respond. This approach, described as 'attacker in the loop', goes beyond theoretical analysis by actively involving adversarial techniques in a controlled setting.
- Simulates attacks via wireless networks, DAB, and mobile devices
- Tests vehicle and driver responses to cyber threats
- Allows safe study of potential vulnerabilities without real-world risk
A tool for manufacturers and regulators
The project is intended to support manufacturers as they develop new generations of autonomous and connected vehicles. By identifying security flaws before cars reach the road, the simulator could reduce the risk of large-scale attacks and improve consumer confidence in new technology. Regulators and industry groups are also expected to use the findings to inform future cybersecurity standards.
