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

  • February 3, 2012
    Cooperative infrastructure systems waiting for the go ahead
    Despite much research and technological promise, progress towards cooperative infrastructure system deployment is still slow. Here, Robert Cone and John Miles take a considered look at how and when it might come about. From a systems engineering viewpoint it looks logical and inevitable that vehicles should be communicating between themselves and with the road infrastructure. But seen from a business viewpoint the case is not proven.
  • June 8, 2018
    SafeRide and Irdeto partner on cybersecurity for C/AVs
    Cybersecurity company SafeRide Technologies Ltd and Dutch firm Irdeto have launched a solution to help original equipment manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers protect connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs). Called Vsentry, the device combines network security with software security of the engine control unit to allow users to detect anomalies and respond to attacks. Vsentry uses an artificial intelligence engine and provides multi-layer protection for securing the connectivity perimeter and the in-vehi
  • February 1, 2012
    Advanced in-vehicle user interface - future developments
    Dave McNamara and Craig Simonds, Autotechinsider LLC, look at human-machine interface development out to 2015. The US auto industry is going through the worst crisis it has faced since the Great Depression. But it has embraced technologies that will produce the best-possible driving experience for the public. Ford was the first OEM to announce in-car internet radio and SYNC, its signature-branded User Interface (UI), is held up as the shining example of change embracement.
  • February 21, 2018
    Autonomous vehicles, smart cities: moving beyond the hype
    There is a lot of excited chatter about autonomous vehicles – but 2getthere’s Robbert Lohmann suggests we might need to take a step back and look realistically at what is achievable. You might be surprised that the chief commercial officer of a company delivering autonomous vehicles would begin an article with the suggestion that we need to get past the hype. And yet I do; because we have to, and urgently so. The hype prevents the development of autonomous vehicles that address actual transit needs. And