Connected Vehicles & Cyber Threats

The Emerging Landscape of Connected Vehicle Security

The automotive industry is rapidly growing into a vast smart mobility ecosystem, introducing sophisticated technologies and connectivity options in vehicles. This evolution brings with it a significant increase in cyber sophistication and attack vectors, making cybersecurity a growing concern for the industry. The recent Upstream's 5th annual report on vehicle security reveals startling statistics :- a 253% increase in automotive cyber-related incidents in the deep and dark web in 2021 compared to 2020, and 63% of cyber incidents in 2022 caused by malicious black hat actors. These numbers not only highlight the growing threat landscape but also underline the critical need for robust security measures.

A World of Increasing Cyber Threats

1. Smart Mobility Ecosystem: The automotive industry's transformation into a smart mobility ecosystem has expanded the potential for cyber threats. A total of over 1,100 incidents have been reported in the last decade, demonstrating the escalating risk.
2. Regulatory Developments: The implementation of regulations like R155 indicates an industry grappling with these threats, yet the number of incidents continues to rise.
3. EV Charging Stations: A new battlefield emerges with attacks against EV charging infrastructure, representing 4% of total incidents.
4. Data Sharing on Dark Web: A 35% increase in information sharing among threat actors in the deep and dark web exacerbates the risk.
5. Safety and Security: In an industry where safety is as crucial as security, these growing threats pose serious risks not just to data and privacy but to human life.?

What makes IT SOC distinct from Vehicle SOC (VSOC)

The landscape of cybersecurity operations in the automotive sector is uniquely different from traditional IT environments, necessitating the development of Vehicle Security Operations Centers (VSOCs) that are distinct from IT Security Operations Centers (SOCs). Here are key differences:

1. Maturity Differences: VSOCs are still developing and rapidly evolving, extending their focus to the broader spectrum of smart mobility, which includes not just vehicles but the entire ecosystem surrounding them.
2. Nature of Operations: Unlike IT SOCs that primarily focus on the CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) within a closed perimeter, VSOCs deal with a wider range of issues, including immediate and non-immediate threats, requiring a shift towards resilience building.
3. Integration with IT SOCs: As vehicles increasingly incorporate software, becoming mobile computing platforms, the integration of VSOCs with IT SOCs is becoming crucial, necessitating a new mindset for security that encompasses both domains.
4. Challenges with Tools and Purpose: The tools and methodologies used in VSOCs are specifically tailored to understand the complexities of mobility and the automotive ecosystem, which differ significantly from traditional IT tools.
5. Collaboration Between IT and VSOCs: Collaboration between these centers is essential, especially in terms of business processes and response strategies to protect not only technical assets but also brand reputation and quality.

Role of Vehicle SOC in Mitigating Risks

The Vehicle Security Operations Centre (VSOC) emerges as a crucial entity in this landscape. Unlike traditional IT Security Operations Centres (SOCs), VSOCs focus on a broader spectrum of threats, encompassing not only cybersecurity but also physical tampering and misbehaviour anomalies. Here's how a VSOC can play a pivotal role:

1. Evolution and Future of VSOCs: VSOCs are evolving to identify and respond to anomalies that could indicate cyberattacks, misbehavior, or physical tampering, adopting a more comprehensive approach to security.
2. Automation and Efficiency: The future effectiveness of VSOCs will depend on automating responses to new and specific threats in the automotive sector, drawing parallels with the advancements in IT SOCs.
3. Safety and Security: In the automotive world, where safety is as crucial as security, VSOCs aim to automate responses to the extent that correct decisions are made without compromising human safety and property.
4. Methodology: The approach of VSOCs involves stabilising, improving, and automating processes, methods, and tools to efficiently meet security goals in the dynamic automotive environment.
5. Security Coverage for Connected Vehicles: VSOCs provide comprehensive security coverage for millions of connected vehicles, ensuring robust monitoring and proactive protection against emerging cyber threats.
6. Managed Detection and Response (MDR): VSOCs offer capabilities such as alert triage, incident investigation, playbook development, and conducting mitigation activities, tailored to the nuances of automotive cybersecurity.
7. Collaboration with Clients: Effective use of VSOCs involves close collaboration with clients, blending automotive cybersecurity expertise with operational know-how for maximum efficacy.
8. Focus on Operational Technology (OT) Monitoring: VSOCs specialize in monitoring vehicles owned by consumers, navigating the complexities of various business units within OEMs and the broader automotive ecosystem.
9. Predict, Detect, and Respond: The operations in a VSOC are structured around predicting potential threats, detecting incidents, and responding appropriately, often in real-time, to mitigate risks.
10. Unique Industry Positioning: VSOCs, due to their specialized focus and capabilities, are uniquely positioned to assist OEMs in setting up and managing a fully operational security operations center, tailored to the automotive sector.

A New Era of Vehicle Security

In conclusion, the rise of connected vehicles brings with it an unprecedented level of cyber threats. From the expanding smart mobility ecosystem to the new avenues of attack such as EV charging stations and V2X communication, the risks are manifold and growing. In this environment, the development and implementation of VSOCs stand out as a critical measure for the automotive industry. The VSOCs, with their unique focus and evolving capabilities, are essential for addressing the complex and evolving threats in this sector. As vehicles become more connected and autonomous, the role of VSOCs will become even more critical in ensuring the safety and security of the smart mobility ecosystem.