10 interview questions and answers on Automotive Cybersecurity

Here’s a list of questions and answers about the Automotive Cybersecurity. This guide can help you prepare for job interviews for Automotive Cybersecurity requirements.

List of 10 Automotive Cybersecurity Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the main objective of automotive cybersecurity?

Answer 1: To protect vehicle systems and networks from unauthorized access, ensuring safety, privacy, and operational integrity in connected and autonomous vehicles.

Question 2: Which standard is followed for automotive cybersecurity?

Answer 2: ISO/SAE 21434 is the key standard, providing guidelines for risk management, design and validation throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

Question 3: How do over the air (OTA) updates affect cybersecurity?

Answer 3: OTA updates enhance convenience but can be a cybersecurity risk if not encrypted and authenticated properly, opening doors to remote attacks.

Question 4: What are the key cybersecurity risks in modern vehicles?

Answer 4: Risks include ECU hacking, spoofing sensors, tampering with V2X messages, or exploiting infotainment systems as entry points.

Question 5: What is the role of firewalls in automotive networks?

Answer 5: Firewalls control communication between ECUs and external interfaces, preventing unauthorized access and segmenting network domains.

Question 6: How does penetration testing help in automotive cybersecurity?

Answer 6: It simulates real world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities in the vehicle’s communication systems, allowing proactive mitigation.

Question 7: Mention difference between IT and automotive cybersecurity.

Answer 7: IT cybersecurity often deals with data breaches, while automotive cybersecurity focuses on safety critical threats like vehicle hijacking.

Question 8: What is intrusion detection in vehicles?

Answer 8: It monitors CAN or Ethernet traffic for anomalies, identifying potential cyberattacks and triggering protective responses.

Question 9: Mention advantages of integrating cybersecurity early in vehicle designs.

Answer 9: Early integration lowers cost and risk, ensures compliance and enhances system robustness compared to retrofitting protection.

Question 10: How does secure boot enhance vehicle security?

Answer 10: Secure boot ensures that only authenticated firmware is loaded during ECU startup, preventing the execution of malicious code.