New e-book features trends, predictions and commentary from industry thought leaders on the growing cybersecurity need in connected devices and vehicles

AMSTERDAM - 20 December 2017 - Irdeto, the world leader in digital platform security, today launched its annual predictions report, looking at the hottest trends in connected transport and IoT security for 2018. The new e-book, Disruptive Technologies, Consolidation and Cybersecurity: 2018 Trends in the Connected World, features expert commentary from multiple Irdeto and industry thought leaders.

Topics covered include how both connected transport and IoT will see cyberattacks evolve in 2018, the importance of effective defense strategies, the impact of a cybersecurity skills shortage, the need for security ownership in IoT and the potential for expanded legislation.

“With the increasing number of connections both in and out of the home, organizations must ensure that they protect themselves and their customers from the growing cybercrime threat,” said Doug Lowther, CEO, Irdeto. “Next year we will see areas of attack move beyond computing platforms and networks to include gaming platforms, buildings, vehicles, transportation infrastructure and the growing number of consumer connected devices. Cybersecurity technology is adapting to meet this challenge and organizations in these connected industries are working hard to get ahead of it.”

Insights on what’s coming soon in the connected transport and IoT sectors include:

Growth in Fob Signal Amplification and App-based Attacks: The increased connectivity and complexity in modern vehicles is resulting in new risks and threats to personal safety, security and privacy. With some estimates that 66% of car thefts involve “high-tech” gadgets, the biggest threat to connected cars in 2018 will be theft. We’ll increasingly see the use of key fob signal amplifiers, to allow thieves to access vehicles. As the mobile attack surface increases next year, we’ll also see thieves migrate to attacks on improperly secured mobile keys, which can also be used to track a vehicle. Weaknesses in mobile car apps could also expose the automotive sector to tailored malware attacks which are designed to locate and steal vehicles from specific automotive brands or fleets.

Ransomware in IoT and the Adoption of Offensive Security Strategies: When it comes to IoT, we will likely see ransomware attacks executed that threaten brand damage in the next year. However, amid the growing vulnerabilities brought about through increased connectivity we may see companies take an offensive security strategy, including sharing information, deploying deception technology and working with law enforcement to track hackers.

Expanded Legislation and Cybersecurity as an Insurance Policy: The U.S. Government has made moves to help set cybersecurity standards for self-driving and autonomous car technology with the AV START Act and the SELF DRIVE Act. Governments will have to expand these legal frameworks in 2018 to include V2X security requirements, otherwise will the adoption of V2X be slowed down which means the timeline to achieve autonomous driving will be delayed as well. It is also expected that cybersecurity may develop into being considered as an insurance included in a service rather than a promise that a vehicle is secure.

IoT Security Ownership Suffers Amid Skills Shortage: The security challenges in IoT will remain throughout the next year with neither manufacturers or providers taking ownership of the issue. However, one of the main challenges faced in taking ownership of security in IoT is a lack of skills and expertise. As a result, we’ll likely see companies turning to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to plug the skills gap through autonomous security technologies