The swift advancement of autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to foster a transformative era for Asia's transport sector, promising unprecedented efficiency and connectivity. However, this bright future is clouded by significant cybersecurity challenges. This ERIA and ITB workshop aims to be a thought leadership nexus where industry, policy architects and researchers come together to share insights and forge strategic partnerships. The mission of the workshop is to provide a comprehensive overview of the technological landscape and cybersecurity hurdles associated with the deployment of autonomous vehicles, and to foster an environment for the exchange of research from a technological and socio-economic perspective, as well as best practices for policy recommendations.

At the heart of the workshop's agenda is a deep dive into the cybersecurity threats facing autonomous vehicles, including potential vulnerabilities and the spectrum of cyber threats. Discussions in the cybersecurity session will focus on proactive threat detection, regular security audits and the implementation of encryption methods to ensure data integrity. It will also cover the laws and regulations governing these technologies and their management. The event will examine the regulatory and policy frameworks for autonomous vehicle cybersecurity, emphasising the need for dynamic regulations that evolve with the cyber threat landscape. Participants will explore cutting-edge cybersecurity practices and innovative solutions, such as AI and blockchain, to highlight the importance of a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem involving manufacturers, software developers and government agencies. The discussion is closely linked to the agenda of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement negotiations, which have just started in December 2023, and will discuss online safety and cyber security issues in ASEAN.

The workshop will also look forward to the future challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity and related issues on autonomous vehicles, encouraging a forward-thinking approach to anticipate new cyber threats and explore new technologies for enhanced security measures. This collaboration aims to not only address current cybersecurity concerns, but also pave the way for the safe development of autonomous vehicles in Asia, ensuring a safer future for this emerging technology. In line with the promotion of the automotive and parts industry in the region, cybersecurity issues could be a critical infrastructure not only for autonomous vehicles, but also for the new concept of the automotive society that we call CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared/Service and Electrification). Through this comprehensive and collaborative approach, the event aims to catalyse the development of robust cybersecurity policy frameworks in the region and foster innovation in the face of evolving cyber threats.