Decoding the impact of ISO/SAE 21434 on cybersecurity in the EV industry

The world's digital transformation is already underway.The bar of technological advancements and our reliance on digital tools is rising day by day.Electric vehicles are heavily reliant on computers and software, especially for battery management and charging. With the electric vehicle market expanding, cybersecurity will become increasingly crucial. Fortunately, the ISO/SAE 21434 "Road Vehicles-- Cybersecurity Engineering" standard hopes to prevent cybersecurity issues from occurring.

This article will focus on the impact of ISO/SAE 21434 in cybersecurity in the EV industry.

What is ISO/SAE 21434

ISO stands for "International Organization for Standardization," while SAE is the "Society of Automotive Engineers." In short, ISO/SAE signals a joint project between the organisations and 21434 is the project number.This standard helps automotive manufacturers and suppliers to tackle cybersecurity issues.The document provide guidelines for automotive developers to help them cover cybersecurity topics throughout the whole development lifecycle and ensure that the entire supplier chain is covered, too.  

How ISO/SAE 21434 provides cybersecurity

Standard covers the entire lifecycle . This ensures that security is considered at every stage.

Organisations are guided to analyse potential cybersecurity risks specific to their EVs and systems.Appropriate controls and measures are selected to mitigate risks and protect critical assets.

This standard promotes secure coding practices, vulnerability testing, and penetration testing to address weaknesses in software and hardware.

Secure communication channels are established for data exchange between the EV, charging stations, and other connected systems.

Organisational management is formed for policies,procedures and employee training.

Manufacturers are encouraged to source components from suppliers who adhere to cybersecurity best practices.

Processes for securely updating software and firmware throughout the EV's lifecycle are established.

Standard continuously monitors cybersecurity threats and adapts measures as needed.

Positive impact of ISO/SAE 21434 on cybersecurity on EV industry

Security-This standard provides a comprehensive framework for implementing cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle of an EV from design and development to production, operation, and maintenance. This helps to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect sensitive data.

Communication-The standard establishes a common language and set of procedures for managing cybersecurity within the EV ecosystem. This facilitates better communication and collaboration between different stakeholders, such as manufacturers, suppliers, and researchers.

Supply chain security -This standard ensures that all components and systems involved in EV production and operation meet a baseline level of cybersecurity.

Threat mitigation-ISO/SAE 21434 guides organisations in identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities in their EV systems. This allows them to proactively implement countermeasures and minimize the potential damage from attacks.

Challenges and limitations

Cost -For small manufacturers and suppliers,implementing ISO/SAE 21434 can be expensive.Cost issue can pose a barrier to acceptance especially in underdeveloped countries.

Enforcement-The effectiveness of the standard relies on strong enforcement and compliance mechanisms. Governments and regulatory bodies need to play an active role in ensuring that the standard is implemented effectively.

Limited scope-Additional standards and regulations may be needed in the future to address specific security challenges.

Continuous improvement-The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and new threats and vulnerabilities emerge regularly. This means that organisations need to continuously update their cybersecurity measures to stay ahead of the curve.

Summing Up

Overall, ISO/SAE 21434 represents a significant step forward in addressing the cybersecurity challenges of the EV industry.Standard employs a multi-layered security strategy with continuous vulnerability assessments.ISO/SAE 21434 ensures there aren't any cracks in the system through which hackers could maneuver. With more generalised information security standards, like ISO 27000, it could go a long way towards creating a strong base on which other entities can develop more specialised cybersecurity tools in the EV space.