The car ecosystem is growing fast and new connectivity technologies will move the car into the Internet of Things (IoT) domain, with all its benefits and threats.
Connectivity brings more services, new features and innovative revenue streams to road vehicles. However, as the number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) per vehicle increases, and cars get connected to the internet, to users and to each other, their complexity and attack surface grow exponentially.
New and upcoming features such as remote diagnostic and software updates over the air, emergency call, internet services, in-car payment, mobile apps, as well as infotainment and traffic information all increase the attack surface of road vehicles.
The upcoming ISO 21434 cyber security standard which is still under discussion, is expected to address vehicle cybersecurity management from different perspectives, including its relationship with safety, and will tackle for example how both can coexist without interferences or inconsistencies.
One of the most important security objectives is the protection of occupant safety and therefore all automotive safety related components, communications, functions and interfaces. This includes protection against any attack on dedicated passive safety (e.g. belts, airbags, [near] accident detection, etc.) and active safety mechanisms (e.g. anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), lane keep assistant, etc.), as well as all driving-related components and functions (e.g. vehicle steering, braking or gear shifting).
For each of these threats, system engineers and security architects must know how to best leverage ECU security features, and decide on the appropriate balance between security level and cost of implementation.
The “Automotive Cybersecurity Compendium” helps system designers implement the right level of security at all levels, using the security features included in Infineon’s 32- bit microcontroller AURIX™ and their Hardware Security Module (HSM).
A more comprehensive version of the Automotive Cyber Security Compendium is available for customers with an NDA on request. Download the free whitepaper and you will get insights on the following:
- Main cyber security mechanisms implemented in AURIX™ microcontrollers.
- How to use them to increase security in Automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
- Overview of system-level cyber security measures that can further enhance vehicle security.
