It is indisputable that automobiles have undergone significant evolution in their usage. Rather than just helping in mobility, they are becoming more of an extension of ourselves, similar to our smartphones and computers, making them accessible to virtually anyone with malicious intent.
This modern age of driving satiates the inner wiring of the vehicle as it employs a myriad of sensors and string, which is very advanced software and integrates a lot of electronic control units (ECUs). Such advantages of an automobile can be more effective and convincing but simultaneously bring along many outliers.
Apart from the obvious risks of exposing privacy and damaging the brand image of the car, more hardcore threats can endanger lives and put people on the highway at risk.
Let’s delve deep into cybersecurity services for the auto industry and how they have become crucial in car manufacturing, starting from the factory where vehicles are constructed and moving to the highways where they drive automobiles.
The Evolution of Cybersecurity in Infotech Companies
Early Claims Management Systems
Initially, the primary elements of the automobile were mechanical parts made of metals, rubbers and other tangible tools. The concept of Cybersecurity services for the automotive industry did not exist as these aspects were not susceptible to hacking. However, as vehicles became more sophisticated in terms of electronics, the situation began to shift.
The Emergence of ECU in Vehicles
With the increasing sophistication of vehicles, manufacturers began to incorporate ECUs to control systems like brakes, steering or even entertainment systems. ECUs work together over a network called Car Area Network or Controller Area Network or CAN bus. Although it made cars smarter the connectivity made cars even more dangerous because now attackers could have access to the car’s software and do whatever they wished.
Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT)
As technology advanced, cars became part of the Internet of Things (IoT), which means they could now connect to external networks and communicate with other devices. This connectivity exposed cars to even more cyber risks, allowing hackers to potentially attack vehicles remotely. The introduction of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication also opened up new ways for hackers to disrupt a car’s functions by interfering with its communication systems.
First Major Cybersecurity Incidents
One of the first significant events that brought attention to automotive cybersecurity services was the 2015 Jeep Cherokee hack. In this highly publicized experiment, researchers remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee, shutting down its engine while it was driving on a highway. This showed just how dangerous vehicle hacking could be and underscored the need for stronger cybersecurity services for the auto industry, starting right from the manufacturing process.
Cybersecurity Challenges in the Factory
The Complexity of the Automotive Supply Chain
Constructing today’s automobile is a complex activity that requires substantial third-party involvement not only in hardware but also in software. Because of this structure, cybersecurity can be a problem because any of these suppliers can compromise the whole system. If one part is insecure, it could affect the entire car. This is why the automotive supply chain has been described as a puzzle where all the pieces must be locked for the whole system to remain locked.
Security Gaps in Factory IoT Systems
Factories are also evolving with the use of more IoT devices in the production process. By this development, more processes in factory production have also been integrated under IoT with the controlling machines becoming moderated by a large number of devices connected to the internet. However, these devices are also at risk of being hacked. Once an external person accesses an IoT device in the factory, they can alter the outlook, the performance of the manufacture, change some functional aspects of the vehicle parts or even steal valuable design data. It is for this reason that secure cyber not only in vehicles but more importantly within the factories they are produced is a phenomenon that cannot be overlooked.
Safeguarding the Company’s Sensitive Designs and Software
Producers in the automotive industry have to prevent their designs and instead, come up with measures throughout the manufacturing process to prevent stealing of this information. If this sensitive information falls into hackers’ hands, they may use it to attack the weaknesses of the actual product.
The Threats Found in a Manufacturing Area
Along with these, factories also incur other risks such as sabotage from employees or other malicious insiders, or old and ineffective security measures. Staff members may create risks and hazards either unintentionally or on purpose. This is especially true in a case where their architectures involve systems integrated many years ago, making them prone to more forms of attack.
Cyber-safety: Focusing on the Security of Auto Production
What do we mean by the term Embedded cybersecurity?
Embedded cybersecurity services for the auto industry are when security is designed into the car at the manufacturing stage by incorporating it in the components and designs. Rather than incorporating the security features after the changes in the design of the security system. Hence there is a level of protection against cyber-attacks on any of the units including ECU and the infotainment systems.
Integrating Security in the Initial Design Process Phases
It is logical to be aware of any scope of cyber security even at the design stage of a particular vehicle. It is essential that manufacturers define specific threats and adopt applicable components. In this manner, they can contain some weaknesses before they develop into major concerns.
Security by Design
One of the notions that have gained momentum during the last decade, particularly in the development endeavour justification relates to implementing security throughout the entire production process – from each hardware production to software integration. This involves installing encryption keys, activating the secure-boot feature and fitting trusted modules on ECUs and many other parts of the vehicle.
Examples of Embedded Security Features
Noteworthy changes have also been made to the vehicles to augment their security against cyber-attacks. For instance, there are secure boot mechanisms in a vehicle that only permit the execution of software that is certified as authentic. There are also components such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) that are used to store protected data which include encryption algorithms and communication protocols such as transport layer security (TLS) that are also employed to protect data flowing to and from the vehicle and any outside network.
On the Road: Cybersecurity in Connected Vehicles
The Connected Vehicle Ecosystem
Connected cars have direct communication with peripheral networks, other vehicles, road infrastructures and Online cloud. Such communications can also be breached which may compromise the data or disrupt the functioning of the vehicle. To avoid this, automotive manufacturers employ encryption as well as safe data transmission means.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates
OTA updates make it possible for manufacturers to communicate with users who may be away from a dealership by updating the software in the vehicle or other equipment. However, its applicability has some adverse effects especially in terms of security. A cybercriminal may break into the update system and inject harmful content into it. Such challenges are minimised to negligible levels using encryptions and authentications in the case of OTA updates.
Emerging Cyber Threats
- Mobile Attacks: New mobile applications and personal devices are at risk of data theft by hackers. Thus, organizations must arm users with some measures such as encryption (coding data) and two-factor authentication (extra login steps) for mobile devices.
- Cloud Vulnerabilities: Working with cloud storage is a good idea but can be risky. Risks like abuse of data storage and data callable crises exist. Organizations must implement good data management, such as the use of strong and reliable security, storage checks, and the use of a required cloud service.
- IoT and 5G: The more connected devices there are, the more the chances of the probability of hackers attacking. Device manufacturers must take strong security measures in the devices from the design conception stage to the production stage.
- Automation Risks: Using automation saves a great deal of time although it has some disadvantages which is likely to put the system at risk. Deploying threat detection and response strategies will lessen the risk of working with a vulnerable system.
- Targeted Ransomware: Cybercriminals are trying new things, this time hitting specific entities and demanding ransoms, inflicting major disruptions. Regular backups, smart threat detection, and employee training can help mitigate these attacks.
Automotive Cybersecurity Case Studies
Toyota’s Approach
Since the early days of embedded security, Toyota has proactively integrated security into the device from the design process and implemented a multilayer approach. The corporation also engages professionals from the cybersecurity field so that prospective weaknesses can be recognized and mitigated.
The offence strategy employed by Tesla
Tesla is famous for coming up with new approaches in consideration of cybersecurity threats. The company applies OTA updates very often in its vehicles and encrypts any communication between the external systems and the cars. Tesla accepts results concerning weaknesses in the security of the vehicle from ethical hacking as well as a bug bounty.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Advancements in the Cyber World
AI along with machine learning automation has also been utilized in counteracting cyber threats. Attacks have been expedited and done in real time and the effectiveness of the measures is more rather than the built upon strategies of threat. The time will come and if you see AI helping human experts, the situation will be more deplorable than today.
Future Workplace Security
Over the next 5 to 10 years as the number of networks on vehicles increases and the vehicles themselves become more autonomous, Cybersecurity services for automotive industry will have even more impact. The automotive industry will need to pay more attention to prevent risks both in the global automotive manufacturing context and the individual automobile. New forms of computers packed with advanced processing devices such as quantum computers will probably introduce some more hurdles.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity has also grown to be a crucial concern when it relates to the safety and reliability of cars. To protect against cyber threats, car manufacturers are taking measures to protect their factory facilities, incorporate cybersecurity services within the car and protect the car while it is on the road. Going forward, cybersecurity services for the auto industry will become even more important with the evolution of vehicles and will prevent any potential digital threats to transportation in the future.
For more information on how our embedded cybersecurity services can benefit your company, contact Cogent IBS today.
– Written by Arjun Dilip Laxane