CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN AUTONOMOUS ENGINEERING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Autonomous engineering systems—ranging from autonomous vehicles and unmanned aerial systems to industrial robotics—are transforming modern infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation. However, rapidly increasing autonomy, connectivity, and complexity also significantly expand the cyber-attack surface, creating profound cybersecurity challenges. These systems integrate heterogeneous components such as sensors, actuators, communication networks, and AI decision modules, making them susceptible to adversarial manipulation, remote exploitation, data breaches, and denial of service attacks. This research paper examines the major cybersecurity threats, architectural vulnerabilities, and defense strategies in autonomous systems, with a focus on real-world operational constraints and safety requirements. A mixed methodology combining literature analysis, threat modeling, and case study insights shows persistent gaps in security frameworks, standardized practices, and mitigation mechanisms. The paper concludes with recommendations for comprehensive cybersecurity integration in autonomous engineering design.