Human Factors in the Cybersecurity of Autonomous Vehicles: Trends in Current Research

Abstract

The cybersecurity of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is an important emerging area of research in traffic safety. Because human failure is the most common reason for a successful cyberattack, human-factor researchers and psychologists might improve AV cybersecurity by researching how to decrease the probability of a successful attack. We review some areas of research connected to the human factor in cybersecurity and find many potential issues. Psychologists might research the characteristics of people prone to cybersecurity failure, the types of scenarios they fail in and the factors that influence this failure or over-trust of AV. Human behavior during a cyberattack might be researched, as well as how to educate people about cybersecurity. Multitasking has an effect on the ability to defend against a cyberattack and research is needed to set the appropriate policy. Human-resource researchers might investigate the skills required for personnel working in AV cybersecurity and how to detect potential defectors early. The psychological profile of cyber attackers should be investigated to be able to set policies to decrease their motivation. Finally, the decrease of driver’s driving skills as a result of using AV and its connection to cybersecurity skills is also worth of research.

Trend Analysis of Cyber Security Research Published in HFES Proceedings from 1980 to 2018

“…This trend analysis sheds light on where future human factors research can begin to fill the gaps in cybersecurity literature. Research in aerospace and surface transportation is still lacking, and human factors issues related to cybersecurity in transportation systems must be emphasized as autonomous vehicles increase in number (Linkov, Zámečník, Havlíčková & Pai, 2019). Additionally, research should continue to focus on the training and education of future cybersecurity professionals.…”

Leveraging human factors in cybersecurity: an integrated methodological approach

“…The recent research in cybersecurity widely agrees that a holistic approach as opposed to technical solutions alone is required to contrast cyber-attacks (Al-Darwish and Choe 2019; Bansal et al 2010 ; Corradini, 2020 ; Jeong et al 2019; Eminağaoğlu et al 2009 ). This has been especially recognised in well-addressed sectors, such as education and healthcare, but also in novel and emerging fields, such as autonomous vehicles, where users’ behaviours and attitudes are able to undermine technological advancements (Linkov et al 2019 ).…”

Minimum required accuracy for HD maps

“…Another criterion is security against external attacks. However, this criterion is not subject to our interest and more information is provided by other studies (Linkov et al, 2019;Luo et al, 2019;Moussa and Alazzawi, 2020).…”