Coventry University and Crypta Labs investigate quantum technology to stop hackers hijacking connected and autonomous vehicles

Researchers and quantum technology experts are to investigate how security systems based on the randomness of light can help protect connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) from cyber-attacks.

There are fears that CAVS, which include driverless cars and vehicles that have internet connectivity, could be hijacked by criminals with equipment as basic as publicly available software and a laptop computer.

But this project, involving the cyber security group at Coventry University’s Institute for Future Transport and Cities (FTC) and a team of quantum experts at London-based cybersecurity start-up Crypta Labs, aims to improve their security and consequently the safety of their drivers and passengers.

The 12-month project is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) through InnovateUK, under the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles 2 scheme.

The weakest link in current encryption systems is a reliance on numbers which are not truly random and which can put the vehicles at risk of being hacked. But Crypta Labs has developed a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) based on the randomness derived from the quantum properties of light. This QRNG can acquire a true random number by using the behaviour of light particles called photons, as they act in a completely random way.

This project will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of applying Crypta Labs’ system to connected and autonomous vehicles ahead of the company rolling out and commercialising its technology internationally. 

Professor Siraj Ahmed Shaikh, a professor of systems security at Coventry University’s Research Institute for Future Transport and Cities (FTC), is the academic principal investigator of the project, while Dr Hoang Nga Nguyen, a research fellow in cybersecurity and cyber physical systems at FTC, is the technical lead.

Prof Shaikh said:

The threats surrounding connected and autonomous vehicles are developing rapidly, as cyber criminals learn new ways to target these cars and crack their encryption systems.

 

There could be significant consequences for the safety of drivers and passengers if any of these autonomous or connected cars were to be hacked and on-board control systems compromised to disrupt moving vehicles. There’s a real need for new approaches to address these problems.”

Joe Luong, CEO, Crypta Labs, said: 

Crypta Labs is delighted to collaborate with Coventry University to embark upon solving one of the biggest problems to face connected and autonomous vehicles, namely how to secure internal systems to prevent hackers from breaking into future driverless cars.

 

We believe Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) technology can have profound applications for transport and vehicle security. The project will serve to be a critical link in assessing how QRNG-based security could strengthen connected and autonomous vehicles.”

 

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For further press information, please contact Alison Martin, press officer, Coventry University, on 02477659752 or email alison.martin@coventry.ac.uk.