Ricardo and Roke Manor to collaborate on next-generation vehicle cyber security

International technology company Ricardo is to join forces with cyber security specialist Roke Manor Research to develop solutions that will make autonomous and connected transport robust against cyber attack. Many of today’s new vehicles are already connected over the air for telematics and maintenance, for safety systems such as eCall, by consumers using insurance-based monitoring technology, and by the many smartphone apps available to vehicle owners.
September 7, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

International technology company 5606 Ricardo is to join forces with cyber security specialist 496 Roke Manor Research to develop solutions that will make autonomous and connected transport robust against cyber attack.

Many of today’s new vehicles are already connected over the air for 6224 telematics and maintenance, for safety systems such as eCall, by consumers using insurance-based monitoring technology, and by the many smartphone apps available to vehicle owners. With the increasing CAV content being included within new vehicles, including aspects of vehicle control through driver assistance systems, and ultimately, fully autonomous vehicle technologies, the potential vulnerabilities to cyber threats will increase significantly.

According to David Cole, managing director of Roke, a new approach to CAV technology design and implementation is essential.  From infotainment, maintenance and navigation, to vehicle to vehicle systems for fully autonomous driving, all provide a potential opportunity for malicious hacking attack.

“The key is to design the security into the product, right from the start. This avoids having to ‘plug gaps’ later.  Our partnership with Ricardo means that we can rapidly develop news tools, processes and assurance schemes which will allow consumers to have confidence in their new, smarter vehicles,” he says.

The two companies are already partners on the UK 5StarS project which aims to develop a 5-star type consumer rating framework for automotive cyber security, similar to existing EuroNCAP type ratings for vehicle safety. Under the terms of the MoU announced today, Ricardo and Roke will contribute additional resources in parallel to their efforts under the 5StarS project, to develop joint product and service opportunities, building upon the synergies of their combined capabilities.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Connected vehicles - potential to transform US transportation
    April 12, 2013
    There’s a new face in the driving seat at the US Department of Transport’s ITS Joint Program Office. Fortunately, as Robin Meczes finds out, he’s no learner driver… Ask Kenneth Leonard why he wanted his new job as director of the ITS Joint Program Office, and his answer comes back without a second’s delay. “The potential to save lives, reduce injuries and help people enjoy a more efficient transportation system is the kind of challenge that makes me want to come to work each morning,” he says. “In my opinio
    Read More
  • To charge or not to charge, that is the question
    January 26, 2018
    Alan Dron looks at why congestion charging and other similar schemes are so controversial in North America. In August, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York State, described congestion charging for the city as “an idea whose time had come,” according to the Bloomberg wire service. In October, he announced a ‘Fix NYC’ advisory panel to study methods of easing congestion on the city’s streets. Although Cuomo did not specifically mention congestion charging when setting up the panel, he said it would study
    Read More
  • Stop thinking and act on cooperative infrastructures
    February 2, 2012
    OmniAir's Tim McGuckin looks at why metropolitan transportation networks might be the key to securing the long-term funding of cooperative infrastructure
    Read More
  • Hackers remotely control jeep
    July 22, 2015
    Two US security experts have demonstrated security flaws in a Jeep Cherokee by taking wireless control of its systems from ten miles away. Writing on technology website Wired, Andy Greenberg, who was driving the jeep at the time, tells how Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek first toyed with the vehicle’s air conditioning, entertainment system and windscreen wipers, before cutting the transmission and causing the jeep to slowly come to a halt. Greenberg says, “The most disturbing manoeuvre came when they
    Read More

Highlighted Content