SECURE OVER-THE-AIR UPDATES FOR CONNECTED VEHICLES

With the advent of the connected vehicle – the “Internet of Vehicles” – the automotive industry is experiencing a real technological leap. As the central component, software is redefining the way manufacturers develop and manufacture their products. It has to be kept up-to-date through downloads, which is a key task. Akamai Technologies describes the challenges arising from software updates and how intelligent analysis methods can be used to investigate anomalies and detect attacks at an early stage.

- EBERHARD SCHEUBLE

CHALLENGE OVER-THE-AIR UPDATES

For software updates to function smoothly, the automotive industry must ensure that it can be distributed efficiently and securely Over-the-Air (OTA) to millions of vehicles around the world. OTA means that data is transferred to the vehicle via a cellular connection. Up until now, software updates and troubleshooting have been carried out via a recall action in the workshops.

Today’s vehicles have a radio interface (for example Wi-Fi and mobile phone network) which allows such software updates to be installed. This is called Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) or Software Over-the-Air (SOTA). Everybody knows about software updates for smartphones. FOTA or SOTA updates for vehicles are carried out according to the same principle: The vehicle is informed that new software updates are available. The software is then downloaded directly into the vehicle via the update server. Subsequently, the data is securely transferred in the background, while the vehicle is in motion. The actual update process takes place when the vehicle is not in motion, for example, in a parking position.