IT- & Cyber Security Services | DEKRA Annual Report 2021

— Automotive Cyber Security

Digital vehicle
inspection

For a long time, vehicle safety was a question of ensuring all the mechanics worked properly; for instance, the wheels, steering, and chassis. But ever since 1978, when antilock braking systems (ABS) were introduced, electronics have also been a part of vehicles – with a positive impact on road safety. The addition of more and more control and assistance systems has helped significantly in continuing to reduce accident numbers.

Decrease in traffic fatalities 2010 - 2020 in the EU

The number of traffic fatalities decreased by 37% in the ten-year period between 2010 and 2020. This fell short of the target set for the decade, which was to reduce fatalities by 50%. Nevertheless, with 42 traffic fatalities per million inhabitants, the EU remains the continent with the safest roads in the world. By comparison, the global average is more than 180 traffic fatalities per million inhabitants.

Traffic fatalities 2010 - 2020 in the EU

— Currently in terms of security, the mobility industry is facing a new major challenge: the threat of cyber attacks. After all, vehicles have long since moved away from merely consisting of high-quality hardware designed and installed based on the ideas of engineers and designers. They can now also be thought of as computers on wheels or small data centers on wheels that are packed full of software and increasingly connected to one another and to their surroundings. In the not too distant future, vehicles will also be able to navigate the roads completely autonomously thanks to AI control.

However, as cars become more and more connected, this opens up a variety of gateways for criminals to launch attacks, steal data, or even manipulate or disrupt functions – including security functions. In worst-case scenarios, this could endanger the lives of those inside. To mitigate or avert the risk of cyber attacks, DEKRA DIGITAL – a subsidiary of DEKRA – is working on cyber security services for vehicles, naturally guided by the latest industry standards and requirements.

Vehicles are increasingly connected to the world

VEHICLE SECURITY // VEHICLE SECURITY // VEHICLE SECURITY // VEHICLE SECURITY // VEHICLE SECURITY // VEHICLE SECURITY //

This raises the key question of how vehicle security can continue to be evaluated in a reliable manner going forward. DEKRA is working tirelessly to find answers to this question.

1. The growing importance of software will change vehicle inspections in the years to come. Drivers will probably make fewer trips to their trusted auto garage, as vehicle checkups are increasingly being carried out continuously and remotely. In addition, the vast majority of updates from manufacturers will be implemented over the air (OTA). To make it as easy as possible to check the validity of the OTA updates with respect to the installed hardware, manufacturers and inspection organizations like DEKRA will need to work closely together to monitor the vehicles’ configuration and software integrity. It will be particularly important to filter out the vehicles that have not updated as intended and then establishing the root causes of the issue. DEKRA has developed its Trust Center concept for this very purpose.

2. With the risk of cyber attacks looming larger as time goes on, DEKRA’s Cyber Security Hub, run by DEKRA DIGITAL, is aiming to increase cyber resilience for increasingly connected vehicles and vehicle systems. To make this happen, awareness of the risks that attacks pose to vehicles’ electrical and electronic systems will need to be raised among businesses; for instance, via training programs. With this in mind, DEKRA’s Cyber Security Hub will pool expertise in a comprehensive approach from information security to anti-tampering as well as improving existing services and developing new ones – all while factoring in the relevant standards in each industry.

New regulations now require automakers to certify management systems that cover the entire life cycle of vehicles’ electrical and electronic systems with respect to cyber security and software uploads. In 2021, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) instructed DEKRA to monitor compliance with these rules and to recommend appropriate type approvals. These certificates are valid for three years and must be officially documented on a yearly basis. Type approvals can only be issued once valid certificates have been obtained. “The pooling of expertise by DEKRA and DEKRA DIGITAL is creating real synergy. Together, we are now able to determine security standards for cyber security and software uploads and demonstrate compliance with these standards at every link of the automotive value-added chain,” explains Thomas Thurner, Head of Cyber Security Services at DEKRA Digital

Thomas Thurner

HEAD OF CYBER SECURITY SERVICES, DEKRA DIGITAL

„The pooling of expertise by DEKRA and DEKRA DIGITAL is creating real synergy. Together, we are now able to determine security standards for cyber security and software uploads and demonstrate compliance with these standards at every link of the automotive value-added chain."

VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO // VISION ZERO

Unsere Vision seit Beginn

Das konsequente Engagement von DEKRA für Automotive Cyber Security resultiert aus dem satzungsgemäßen Auftrag, den das Unternehmen seit fast 100 Jahren verfolgt: die Verkehrssicherheit kontinuierlich zu verbessern. DEKRA steht für die Vision Zero – das Ziel „Null Verkehrstote“. Der Weg: den Betrieb von Fahrzeugen durch Digitalisierung sicherer machen.

Mehr zu Vision Zero

Micro Mobility

#Boosting
Future Safety

Future Vehicle & Mobility Services

Information & Cyber Security Services

Remote Services

Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Analytics

Sustainability Services

Company

This website is using cookies to provide a good browsing experience

Cookie consent(s)

We use cookies on our website to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze traffic to our website. To provide you with a convenient online experience and to improve our communications, please click "ACCEPT ALL". By doing so, you consent to the processing and sharing of your information with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can revoke your consent at any time in the settings.

Data Protection Imprint