Quantum Security Risks in Autonomous Vehicles and Smart Transportation Systems

Abstract

Self-driving cars and intelligent transport networks face unprecedented security challenges from quantum computing capabilities. Quantum algorithms can efficiently solve mathematical problems underlying current cryptographic architectures that protect vehicular communications, authentication, and software integrity. This article analyzes quantum-specific threat vectors including harvest-now-decrypt-later attacks, authentication forgery enabling safety-critical message spoofing, and long-term integrity attacks on over-the-air updates. Technical solutions include post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, hybrid security models, and crypto-agile architectures. The lifecycle threat model addresses temporal aspects of data sensitivity for vehicles with long operational lifetimes. Policy implications encompass national security, economic competitiveness, regulatory frameworks, and international standards coordination. Quantum-resilient transportation security requires urgent, coordinated efforts from industry, government, and standards organizations.