Exploration of Automotive Functional Safety and Cybersecurity

Published in IEEE Dallas Circuit and System Conference, IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, and Journal of Hardware and Systems Security 

The automotive industry relies on modern automobile systems, which are complex distributed embedded systems. These systems consist of numerous Electronic Control Units, sensors, and actuators, all interconnected through multiple in-vehicle networks. However, the integration of these diverse components can introduce subtle errors that may be exploited by malicious individuals, leading to severe consequences. To address this, we employ our developed digital twin platform that facilitates the exploration of automotive functional safety and cyber security. Within this environment, we implement safety and security scenarios that allow for interaction with various Electronic Control Units, as well as the simulation of sensory inputs and actuation outputs. By analyzing several vehicular use case interactions, we address critical safety and security concerns through this digital twin and facilitate a comprehensive exploration solution. We also establish the foundation for security policies and countermeasures that can be freely explored within the digital twin environment.