WISeKey and SINCODE to develop connected cars solution in China

Cybersecurity and IoT firm WISeKey International has teamed up with automobile ECU supplier SINCODE to develop the WISekey ISTANA connected cars solution in China.

The WISeKey ISTANA I platform allows smart car makers to certify the authenticity of different vehicle components.

Certificate-based security protects over-the-air software updates and onboard communication between vehicle components.

Employees, dealers and suppliers can use authentication certificates to access car components to diagnose mechanical / technical issues and update software from any place.

The ISTANA PKI platform also enables users to securely interact with a car’s smart features using smartphones and other devices.

WISeKey CEO Carlos Moreira said: “As cars in China continue to evolve, essentially becoming motorised computers, they are vulnerable to the very same threats and attacks as home computers, laptops and smartphones.

“Unless appropriate cybersecurity measures are implemented, hackers can remotely access the vehicle’s computer system, manipulate the brakes, engine, and transmission.

“This cooperation with SINCODE will allow us in China to help verify legitimate car systems, protect the data they create and avoid malicious hacking.”

There are currently 11.6 million cars on Chinese roads that feature online connectivity, accounting for 10.6% of the market, according to a survey by Accenture China.

The connected car market is likely to surge by 50.9% per annum in China and failing to address data security can make them vulnerable to hacking or privacy intrusions.

WISeKey hardware security embedded within the car safeguards the identity of each device, eliminates illegal tampering, and protects the privacy and security of the data generated by these devices.