Skip to main content

New security system for autonomous cars enables ECUs to protect themselves

Karamba Security has launched autonomous security for connected and autonomous vehicles, which enables their electronic control units (ECUs) to protect themselves from hackers. This extension to the company’s Carwall ECU security platform enables automotive technology providers to achieve the goals set out in the US Department of Transportation's guidelines for the safe deployment of autonomous cars. Karamba Security’s autonomous security technology allows any car’s ECU to protect itself from this threa
September 30, 2016 Read time: 1 min
Karamba Security has launched autonomous security for connected and autonomous vehicles, which enables their electronic control units (ECUs) to protect themselves from hackers. This extension to the company’s Carwall ECU security platform enables automotive technology providers to achieve the goals set out in the US Department of Transportation's guidelines for the safe deployment of autonomous cars.

Karamba Security’s autonomous security technology allows any car’s ECU to protect itself from this threat by automatically locking it down to the ECU's factory settings. The ECU then blocks operations that aren't part of its factory settings, with a negligible performance impact, which prevents hackers from accessing the car's safety systems and commandeering them.

The company has also unveiled a new capability, in-memory protection, as part of its autonomous security suite. With in-memory protection, the ECU autonomously blocks memory-based attacks such as buffer overrun and return oriented programming.

Related Content

  • January 7, 2013
    Need for secure approach to connected vehicle technology
    Accidental or malicious issue of false messages to connected vehicles could result in dire consequences, so secure systems of authentication and certification are likely to be necessary, write Paul Avery and Sandra Dykes. Connectivity among vehicles in urban traffic systems will provide opportunity for beneficial impacts such as congestion reduction and greater safety. However, it also creates security risks with the potential for targeted disruption. Security algorithms, protocols and procedures must take
  • May 1, 2014
    Traffic control systems ‘vulnerable to hacking’
    Devices used by traffic control systems are vulnerable to being hacked, according to computer security specialist IOActive. Hackers could gain complete control of these devices and cause traffic issues for the cities in the US, UK, France, Australia, China and beyond.
  • February 3, 2012
    Is DSRC progressive enough for future connected mobility?
    Dedicated Short Range Communications technology, says Cisco's Paul Brubaker, is not by itself progressive enough to sustain long-term innovation in the connected mobility environment - and yet IPv6 and other developments remain largely ignored by policy-makers
  • December 4, 2012
    Public transport operators implement passenger safety systems
    Operators of public transport systems are arming themselves with sophisticated systems of technology to ward off terrorism threats to passenger safety. David Crawford reports. City transportation authorities worldwide are looking more keenly than ever for mass transit solutions to overcome traffic congestion and manage commuter flows. As they do so, concerns over passenger security are driving development of new technologies for terrorist incident detection, response and emergency passenger evacuation. The