Cybersecurity In Autonomous Vehicles: Threats, Vulnerabilities, And Emerging Defense Mechanisms

Autonomous vehicles are rapidly changing the way transportation systems operate by combining technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and intelligent communication networks. These vehicles are designed to observe their surroundings, make driving decisions, and interact with other vehicles and infrastructure with little or no human involvement. Although this technology offers many benefits, including improved road safety, reduced traffic congestion, and better transportation efficiency, it also introduces new cybersecurity concerns. Because autonomous vehicles depend heavily on software systems and wireless communication, they may become targets for cyberattacks that can affect vehicle functionality and passenger safety. This review paper explores the major cybersecurity issues associated with autonomous vehicle systems. It examines different types of threats, including sensor manipulation attacks, GPS spoofing, communication attacks in vehicle networks, and vulnerabilities in in-vehicle communication systems. The study also discusses several security solutions proposed by researchers, such as encryption techniques, intrusion detection systems, blockchain-based security methods, and artificial intelligence approaches for detecting cyber threats. In addition, the paper highlights important challenges in protecting autonomous vehicle systems, including system complexity, real-time operational requirements, privacy concerns, and the lack of standardized security frameworks. Finally, the paper outlines possible future research directions aimed at improving the security, reliability, and resilience of autonomous vehicle technologies within intelligent transportation systems.