The Bristol-based Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS), a specialist in digital engineering capability, used its considerable experience in ResiCAV, the first project of its kind to position the UK as a leader in cybersecurity for driverless cars – known as connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs).
Drawing on its unique findings, the ResiCAV consortium of; HORIBA MIRA, Thales, BT, WMG at the University of Warwick, the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS), Oxfordshire County Council, AESIN Techworks, plus the University of South Wales, the University of Bristol, Coventry University and the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC), is now stressing the immediate need with which the government must invest in a national mobility-focused cybersecurity programme, stating this as essential for supporting CAV adoption across the UK transport network
ResiCAV, brought together automotive, cybersecurity systems and artificial intelligence expertise to research the feasibility of creating a UK Cybersecurity ‘Centre of Excellence’ to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats to the UK’s autonomous transport network in real time.
Within the project, CFMS utilised its extensive experience to examine the types of simulation required to evaluate CAV cyber-attacks and identify the best computing service necessary for such a Centre to respond to potential threats.
As the UK moves towards mass deployment of CAVs, the ground-breaking project highlighted an ‘urgent need’ for a national road transport cybersecurity programme for the UK to safely support the mass rollout of CAVs across the country.
Prof. Ian Risk, chief technology officer at CFMS, said: “As CAVs become mainstream vehicles, it is more important than ever to protect these vehicles and the infrastructure they use from potentially disastrous cybersecurity attacks. We have been very proud to offer our extensive simulation expertise and experience in the autonomous vehicle sector to such a substantial and important project alongside an excellent line-up of partners.”
The initial three-month ResiCAV programme was supported by funding from The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and was run by Zenzic and Innovate UK. It is one of seven projects announced as part of the Cybersecurity Feasibility Studies competition, led by Zenzic. For details see www.zenzic.io.