Future proofing connected vehicles through cybersecurity
This article is authored by Latha Chembrakalam, Head – Technical Centre India, Continental Automotive India.
The automotive industry is undergoing a huge technology transformation. Today the vehicles are no longer just a basic means of transport but are becoming an extension of one’s personal space. They have progressed into ‘Mobile Living Spaces’ with cutting-edge technology that have the ability to communicate with passengers, the environment, and the infrastructure. This digital revolution is driving noteworthy changes across the industry and is reshaping both, in-vehicle as well as the overall driving experience. With an increase in software, connectivity and digitalization in vehicles, cybersecurity is becoming a priority, demanding automotive manufacturers to adopt robust measures to secure the car and to protect against possible loopholes and potential threats.
Evolution of the Connected Car
The concept of connected vehicles has been evolving for some years now. However, recent advancements have accelerated this evolution. Earlier, connectivity in vehicles was limited to simple navigation and infotainment but modern connected cars have advanced technologies that allow real-time data exchange with the integration of smartphones, enhancing the overall driving experience. Therefore, increased connectivity, autonomous driving and complex software technologies are radically transforming the vehicular security. Earlier it was necessary to be physically present at the vehicle to carry out attacks, now attacks can be carried out remotely. With software being incorporated in the vehicles, Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) is the next evolutionary stage in vehicle development. Vehicles have to process over 200 million lines of code. This is because modern vehicles often have more than 100 control units installed for driving safety and assistance or comfort – as well as many actuators and sensors such as cameras, radar and lidars. Initially, there was significant skepticism and concern regarding the data privacy, cybersecurity, and reliability of these vehicles but the attitude towards SDVs is evolving as the technology advances and becomes more integrated into everyday life. With SDVs constantly receiving software updates through OTA, continuous improvement and quick resolution of any issues can occur. This helps in enhancing the overall reliability and user trust. With ongoing advancements and proactive measures by manufacturers, there is a shift in public perception and acceptance of software-defined vehicles.
Key Technologies Enabling Connectivity
Several key technologies are driving the connectivity revolution in the vehicles. With navigation and GPS being the standard features in vehicles today, they provide real-time traffic updates while ensuring route optimization. Smart access systems allow smooth integration of smartphones with vehicle systems. Continental is at the forefront of developing innovative connected car technologies. For instance, Continental’s CoSmA transforms smartphones into digital keys. It uses ultra-wideband technology to allow smooth smartphone integration by replacing the conventional key fobs. Cloud-based platforms like Continental’s vAnalytics enable data collection, analysis, and the resolution of pain points, improving the overall user experience. Advanced sensors along with eHorizon technology allows vehicles to process data beyond sensor vision enhancing vehicle safety and efficiency. The SINDRI application developed by Continental gives a comprehensive vehicle diagnosis. Apart from this, Continental’s High Performance Computers (HPC) meets the high technical demands and eliminate complexity from the overall vehicle system.
The India scenario
If we take the case of India, more than over 80 percent of Indian customers believe that they will benefit from connected vehicles, signifying its increasing demand. It will be accompanied by a strong need for cybersecurity measures. If we look cross-industry, Government records indicate that over 670,000 cases of cyber-attacks were reported in India by June 2022. Of course, cybersecurity threats to automotive is still quite new in India, as cars become more integrated with the internet and other devices, the potential for security breaches escalates. The connected car market in India is growing and there is an urgent need to address cybersecurity challenges to be able to meet the future needs.
Standards and Implementation of Cybersecurity
To keep up with the increasing complexity in modern automobiles, and ensure the safety of the users, the automotive industry introduced ISO 21434, an international standard focused on cybersecurity engineering for road vehicles. It provides a framework to ensure the security of automotive systems throughout their lifecycle, from development and production to operation and maintenance.
The goals of security are:
● Authenticity – designed to establish the validity of a transmission, message, or originator, or a means of verifying an individual’s authorization to receive specific information.
● Confidentiality: Data to be encrypted and read by authorized nodes.
● Integrity: The accuracy and completeness of vital information must be safeguarded. Data should not be altered or destroyed during transmission and storage. Implementing cybersecurity in connected vehicles effectively involves five critical steps.
They are: 1. Identification and Assessment: Identify all assets that must be protected such as sensitive data, systems, applications, and networks. The next step is to assess potential threats and vulnerabilities that could compromise their security.
2. Prevention: Prevention involves the strengthening of all potential attack points through hardware-enhanced cryptography, embedded security software, and also the securing of the vehicle architecture. Implementation of practices like DevSecOps will also ensure secure coding.
3. Understanding: This is the real-time monitoring and tracking of connected vehicles through Security Operation Centres (SOCs) that can detect breaches and vulnerabilities on time. 4. Response: This involves the quick mitigation of damage and deployment of over-the-air (OTA) software updates and patches as they can address security loopholes.
Machine learning algorithms can be implemented in the security software to learn common patterns of vehicle operations and a trained model will then be able to distinguish anomalies that fall beyond the scope of ordinary vehicle signals. AI powered anomaly models can detect intrusions and prevent them. Blockchain technology that can be used to transact vehicular data with a high level of security is also getting popular. Block chain platforms provide a reliable means of collecting data and delivering it in a secure and immutable state. The number of IoT devices used in the cars are increasing significantly and the types of IoT used also impacts cybersecurity. Thus, using secure IoT devices are very critical. Advancements in quantum computing can shift the cybersecurity landscape, as current encryption methods may become obsolete. Therefore, developing quantum-resistant cryptography will likely become necessary. Automotive industry sees a lot of collaboration between different OEMS, suppliers and tech providers. Following standards and joining forces for cyber protection becomes crucial. Therefore, strategic collaborations and partnerships between automotive manufacturers and cybersecurity firms are likely to become more prevalent. Bringing People, Process, Policy, and Partners together to build a cyber risk aware culture is very essential in all organizations.
Future Landscape
With the arrival of the 5G technology, the future of connected vehicles looks even more promising. This can improve safety, comfort, and efficiency. High-performance computers (HPC) and modular platforms like Zone Control Units (ZCUs) can simplify vehicle architectures, reduce complexity, and enhance data management. Vehicles as connected; intelligent systems are transforming the automotive industry, but it brings with it substantial cybersecurity challenges. Only a strong cybersecurity system as well as cutting-edge technologies can ensure that the benefits of connected vehicles can be realized both in a safe and secure manner. As the industry moves towards a future that will be fully connected and autonomous, one must be committed to cybersecurity for a transformational overall driving experience.
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and do not represent any of The Times Group or its employees.