More Than Just an IT Issue: How Security Impacts Your Entire Organisation
The digital age presents organisations of all sizes and from all industries new challenges every day. Data are the new currency and branch networks with numerous elements continue to grow as cloud and mobile technologies develop. Popular innovative automotive ideas, such as the smart factory and the connected vehicle, are also taking centre stage and now seem possible with the emergence of digitisation.
These developments make the business data of automotive manufacturers and suppliers highly attractive to cybercriminals, and as interconnectivity forges ahead, the size of the potential target is becoming larger. Naturally, the automotive industry is aware of this and is working to implement industry-wide IT security initiatives. One example is how leading suppliers are joining forces in the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers to campaign for more (cyber) security.
Security for the connected vehicle
The experience of the last few years has shown that the automated and connected vehicle will become commonplace in the market only when cybercriminals can be stopped from manipulating these systems. Security experts warn of vulnerabilities and gateways to onboard systems that serve as entry points for malware to take control of the vehicle and deactivate certain components such as airbags. Automotive manufacturers need powerful security architectures that can protect these components (software, services, control systems, devices, etc.) from unauthorised access to their infrastructure, the cloud, and on board the vehicle.
Security within your company
By nature, hacker attacks on vehicles catch the attention of the media quickly and can have an extremely negative impact on a brand’s reputation. However, the biggest pitfalls lurk within in the company itself, specifically in product development, production and logistics.
It is no longer possible to imagine how production processes can be optimised and automated without the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), a system that offers extensive advantages. Production lines, machines, systems and the supply chain are all interconnected so that they can exchange and analyse important information. Sources of manual error are practically eliminated, productivity is increased, and the companies who use this technology save hard cash. And ideally, the goal is to watch a vehicle that fulfils the highest quality standards and enhances the safety of everyone else on the road roll off the belt as a result of the completion of these highly interconnected processes.
The downside is that data that is exchanged digitally can also be maliciously manipulated. When systems are interconnected end to end, there is potential for security vulnerabilities. The consequences are data theft or defective production, which can endanger both the supplier and its employees, as well as the dealer and the customer. Let’s look at a few examples. What happens if a hacker manipulates a temperature sensor in the production environment? If cybercriminals reprogram a production robot that is used in the assembly line for safety-relevant vehicle components? Or if information is stolen from assistance systems used by the employee, such as a tablet or data glasses?
Security that protects data and information
When saving and processing data about production, the vehicle and the customer, OEMs and their supply chain partners must fulfil the most stringent safety and compliance requirements, in particular in light of the new regulations set forth by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For example, if onboard systems record data about the driver, it is imperative that this data does not fall into the wrong hands when it is saved and then transferred to the manufacturer, a dealer or an external service partner.
And it is also necessary that internal company tools used in information and communication technology, which make daily business interactions in and between departments easier, are equipped with suitable security mechanisms. After all, the high level of autonomy and the decentralised yet interconnected systems seen in Industry 4.0 become factors that could be problematic from a data security point of view. Effective protective measures must therefore be implemented and put into practice even at the mechanical and technological levels. It is also important to teach employees about interconnected production, so that they recognize possible attacks early on and use measures to avert them. The expertise required for this goes far beyond classical IT training and in the end, affects everyone in the company.
Security solutions for the automotive industry
Regardless of whether cybercriminals have their sights set on customer data or other valuable internal information, such as intellectual property, or use blackmail to sabotage processes, every business must find a way to effectively protect itself from external threats. Understanding that we can become victims of a cyberattack at any time and implementing suitable security technology are key requirements if manufacturers and suppliers want to be able to respond quickly in the digital age.
Microsoft offers companies in the automotive industry powerful solutions and practical support to protect their company-wide infrastructure and prevent data leaks. To help you find your way through the jungle of available security solutions on the market and explore the tools that will be most effective in your organisation, we provide all-up information here on our website. In all, it takes the proper security applications to safeguard your organisation and data over the long term.
