Why Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is Key to Protecting the Automotive Industry’s Digital Investments—and Its Vehicles

In an age where digital transformation has permeated every industry, including automotive, cybersecurity has become a core concern. While the automotive industry has made significant strides in adopting technology to improve vehicle performance, safety, and user experience, there's still a critical gap when it comes to securing these digital advancements—particularly in protecting connected vehicles. One simple but effective solution that has been widely embraced in other sectors, like finance and e-commerce, is two-factor authentication (2FA). But how many in the automotive industry are leveraging this powerful tool to protect their digital investments? More importantly, why aren't we applying it to secure vehicles themselves?

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a method of confirming a user's identity by requiring two different types of evidence, or "factors." The most common forms of authentication are:

1. Something you know (like a password)
2. Something you have (like a smartphone or hardware token)
3. Something you are (biometrics, such as fingerprint or facial recognition)

By requiring two layers of security, 2FA dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Even if one factor (like a password) is compromised, the second factor provides an additional line of defence.

2FA in Digital Investments: A Standard Practice

In the realm of digital investments, 2FA has become a best practice. Whether it's safeguarding sensitive financial data, corporate systems, or cloud-based services, organizations across industries use 2FA to ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical information. For automakers, these digital investments could include proprietary software, customer databases, supply chain management systems, and even intellectual property such as designs for upcoming vehicle models.

These digital assets represent significant value and are at constant risk of being targeted by hackers. Implementing 2FA across all systems ensures that even if login credentials are stolen, malicious actors can’t gain access without the second authentication factor. It’s a logical, relatively simple, and cost-effective way to strengthen security.

But here’s the real question: If we take these measures to protect corporate databases and software tools, why are vehicles—many of which are essentially computers on wheels—left out of the conversation?

Why Not Vehicles?

Modern vehicles are no longer just mechanical machines; they are equipped with advanced software systems that control everything from navigation and entertainment to braking and acceleration. Increasingly, vehicles are connected to the internet, allowing for remote access, updates, and even autonomous driving features. However, with this increased connectivity comes heightened security risks, as hackers can potentially exploit vulnerabilities to control or disable critical functions. We've already seen this in several high-profile cases of vehicle hacking, where bad actors remotely manipulated car systems.

The current security measures for vehicles, such as key fobs and passwords for infotainment systems, are not enough to protect against these sophisticated attacks. This is where 2FA could be a game-changer.

How 2FA Could Protect Vehicles

Imagine applying the same two-factor authentication principles we use to secure financial transactions and cloud access to vehicles. For instance, a user could enter their car with a traditional key fob or smartphone app, but the vehicle wouldn’t start without a second authentication factor, such as a code sent to the user’s phone or a fingerprint scan on the dashboard.

Here are several areas where 2FA could be integrated into vehicle security:

1. Starting the Vehicle: Require a second authentication factor to start the car, particularly for vehicles with keyless entry systems.
2. Remote Access to Features: Implement 2FA for accessing remote start, navigation settings, and other features via mobile apps.
3. Firmware Updates: Ensure that over-the-air software updates to vehicles are authenticated through 2FA, preventing unauthorized changes.
4. Autonomous Driving Functions: As more cars adopt semi-autonomous and fully autonomous features, 2FA could be required to activate self-driving modes.

Enhancing Trust and Safety

The implementation of 2FA in vehicles would not only enhance security but also improve trust between manufacturers and consumers. Customers are increasingly concerned about the security of their personal data and the safety of their vehicles in a connected world. By offering 2FA as a standard security feature, automakers can differentiate themselves as leaders in digital security, thus creating a competitive advantage.

Additionally, 2FA can protect fleets of commercial vehicles, which are increasingly managed via cloud-based platforms that track vehicle locations, performance metrics, and maintenance schedules. These systems are as vulnerable as any other enterprise software, making 2FA a crucial layer of protection.

The Road Ahead

The automotive industry has successfully embraced digital innovation to improve vehicle functionality, safety, and user experience. However, with this innovation comes the responsibility to protect these advances from cyber threats. Just as we protect our digital investments with two-factor authentication, it’s time to consider applying the same level of security to the vehicles themselves.

The future of mobility is digital, and securing that future means taking proactive steps today. Integrating 2FA into vehicle security systems is a logical next step to ensuring that both automakers and consumers can embrace connected and autonomous vehicles without fear.

As we continue to innovate, let’s ensure that security remains a top priority. If we trust 2FA to safeguard our digital investments, there’s no reason we shouldn’t trust it to protect our vehicles as well.