Mitsubishi Leads Automotive Cybersecurity Innovation

The rise of smart cars and in-vehicle computer systems summons cyber-security to the forefront of automotive industry priorities. Today’s consumers stay connected beyond their vehicle interior with things like navigation, hands-free calling, driver assist features, and in the future autonomous vehicles. To stay ahead of cyber threats, in 2015 the auto industry established an Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Auto-ISAC). Effective cyber-attacks have been successfully simulated on big name connected cars like Tesla, BMW, Nissan, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, even to the extreme of malicious intent control. With that kind of vulnerability that in mind, Japanese electronics and electrical equipment giant Mitsubishi Electric developed and subsequently tested a new multi-layered defense technology that was announced on Monday. Mitsubishi Electric’s defense from cyber attacks includes security features for data security like an intrusion detection system without high load processing and a secure-boot technology that verifies software integrity. The intrusion detection system detects cyber attacks designed to specifically affect control of the vehicle and the vehicle head unit. The secure-boot technology is rumored to require less than ten percent of the normal boot-up time. The multilayer defense also protects safety-critical systems and isolates auto control systems from communication-based systems. All software updates will require a special code. SecurityWeek has reported that the developed technology is adapted from multi-layered defense technology originally developed for critical infrastructures, such as systems for electric power, natural gas, water, chemicals, and petroleum, for vehicle systems while requiring only limited machine resources.