Skip to main content

EV charging will require increased investment in cyber security systems

The technology architecture associated with electric vehicle (EV) charging is continuing to evolve as utilities and other key players in the industry ecosystem identify business requirements and risks associated with adding significant new demands on the electrical grid. One of the most pressing challenges is related to securing financial transactions and end-to-end communications throughout the EV charging infrastructure, and a recent report from Pike Research indicates that these areas will be the focus o
April 18, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
RSSThe technology architecture associated with electric vehicle (EV) charging is continuing to evolve as utilities and other key players in the industry ecosystem identify business requirements and risks associated with adding significant new demands on the electrical grid. One of the most pressing challenges is related to securing financial transactions and end-to-end communications throughout the EV charging infrastructure, and a recent report from Pike Research indicates that these areas will be the focus of increased utility investment in cyber security systems over the next several years. The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that the EV cyber security market will increase from just US$26 million in 2011 to $144 million by 2015, with a cumulative investment of $432 million during that period.

“Smart charging management will be the primary driver of expanded utility spending on EV cyber security,” says senior analyst Bob Lockhart. “The IT and communications infrastructure supporting charging equipment will need to be resilient and secure in order to mitigate risks associated with financial transactions and the threat of hacking that is posed by the addition of these new endpoints. A malicious attack on the EV cyber infrastructure could potentially result in brownouts or stranded vehicles, and any failure in smart charging systems could strike a huge blow to utilities as well as consumer confidence in the reliability and viability of electric vehicles as a preferred mode of transportation.”

Lockhart adds that, in addition to their benefits for smart charging, EV cyber security systems will also serve to strengthen customer information management systems and enable new forms of data analytics that will be advantageous for utilities and end-users alike. However, Pike Research’s analysis indicates that the EV cyber security market is still nascent and is somewhat hamstrung in the near term by the lack of security standards and binding regulation or legislation related to these issues. Lockhart believes that the lack of a common approach is likely to make security for EV infrastructure more expensive than it needs to be, and more complex, over the next several years.

Pike Research’s report, Electric Vehicle Cyber Security, presents a detailed analysis of key cyber security risks for EV charging infrastructures based upon three key security standards: ISO 27002:2005 for IT networks, NISTIR 7628 Volume 2 for Personal Data Privacy, and NIST 800-82 for ICS networks. The study includes a comprehensive examination of business requirements, technology issues, and key industry players that are shaping the emerging EV cyber security market. Global revenue forecasts are included through 2015, including segmentation by region, security segment, and risk type.

Related Content

  • Off-grid EV charging coming to Israel 
    December 1, 2021
    Partners will consider expanding the cooperation to projects in China
  • Companies depend on automation, AI and machine learning for cyber security
    February 23, 2018
    To defend against cyber attacks, 39% of organisations are reliant on automation, 34% on machine learning and 32% on artificial intelligence (AI), according to the Cisco 2018 annual report conducted on 3,600 chief information security officers. It found that over half of all attacks resulted in financial damages of more than $500,000 (£697,000), including, but not limited to, lost revenue, clients, opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs. The study revealed that adversaries are using Malware sophistication
  • New beginning for Think EV car maker
    April 19, 2012
    A court-appointed trustee has selected Russian entrepreneur Boris G. Zingarevich, whose investment operations are based in St. Petersburg, Russia, as the winning bidder for Think Global electric vehicle manufacturer, following a bankruptcy proceeding initiated by the Norwegian carmaker last month. In addition, Zingarevich has signed a memorandum of understanding with American advanced lithium-ion battery maker Ener1, and Finnish automobile engineering and manufacturing concern Valmet Automotive, to cooperat
  • Smart transportation market ‘worth US$285.12 billion by 2024’
    February 24, 2017
    The global smart transportation market is estimated to reach a market size of US$285.12 billion by 2024, according to a new study by Grand View Research. The growing number of on-road vehicles and the ineffective existing transport infrastructure will drive the need for an efficient management system. Favourable government initiatives toward building a better infrastructure and running the transport system smoothly are expected to boost the industry growth. Increasing investments in the smart city produc