SECURE ELECTRIC
VEHICLE CHARGING

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E/E automotive

INTRO TO EV ECOSYSTEM

How EV Charging Works

EV charging is modelled on the process used to fill one’s car with gasoline/petrol. An electric cord and connector, not unlike a gasoline hose and nozzle, connects the BEV (battery electric vehicle) or PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) to a power source. Level 1 chargers use the standard US 120V home outlet to recharge a car in 17-25 hours for 160 km (100 mi) of driving. Level 2 chargers require a 240V outlet to recharge a car in 4-5 hours for 160 km (100 mi) of driving.

As EVs becomes mainstream, they are increasingly purchased by middle- and lower-class owners who live in apartments and MDUs that lack the space required for personal charging stations. As such, EV charging is shifting from home charging to commercial public charging on streets, in office parks, commercial areas and parking garages with Level 2 chargers and fast-charging Level 3 chargers that recharge a vehicle in as little as 20 minutes.

The Role of the grid in the charging process

The role of the electric grid in the home charging process is relatively straightforward as the electricity for the EV is added to the monthly invoice from the local electric company. Commercial public charging with Level 2 and 3 EV charging systems is significantly more complex as these commercial systems are supported by a variety of billing, charging and transactional processes.

The higher hardware and installation cost of fast charging EV systems that provide Level 2 and Level 3 charging are often offset by enabling property owners, businesses and municipalities to offer public usage with a variety of pricing and access schemes such as time-of-day pricing, access control for groups such as employees or residents; managed waiting lists for charging using phone apps and more.

THE EV ECOSYSTEM

As the electric charging station market develops, the EV charging ecosystem includes a variety of businesses and service providers (not including the power suppliers to the grid). While some companies focus on specific areas of the ecosystem, such as owning the charging stations, others may perform multiple services such as locating a charging station, managing the payment, and even owning the EV charging stations.

THE EV ECOSYSTEM

Leading EV security solutions should create a secure in-vehicle environment that enables the eMobility service provider to safely offer additional services or vehicle functionality to customers without threat of cyber attacks.

[See benefits section below for more information.]

CYBERATTACKS & THE RISKS OF EV CHARGING

EVS SHARE ALL the CYBERRISKS of CORPORATE
NETWORKS and MOBILE PHONES

The commercial public EV charging stations face numerous potential cyber and EV charging threats from criminals, disgruntled employees or hackers. As networked systems, electric vehicles share the cyberrisks of computers, mobile phones and connected vehicles, including ransomware, trojan viruses, DDoS attacks, corrupted OTA updates and app vulnerabilities—as well as the physical hacking of remote charging stations.

Ransomware
Ransomware

Cyberthieves can hack the charging station software and install viruses that will invade and lockdown unprotected vehicle until a ransom is paid.

Trojan Viruses
Trojan Viruses

Physically connecting a vehicle to a compromised charger could enable the entry of trojan viruses that let cyberthieves gain control over the vehicle for hijacking goods, people or the vehicle.

Data Loss
Data Loss

Hacking vulnerable system hardware or exposed interfaces for wireless communication can let cyberthieves steal personal and financial information during payment.

DDoS Attacks
DDoS Attacks

Hackers flood PLC communications to deny services and charging ability

Grid Attacks
Grid Attacks

A compromised vehicle could be used to access the grid and cause outages, theft or demand a ransom.

App Vulnerabilities
App Vulnerabilities

Apps for billing or locating charging stations could be exploited to penetrate safety-critical systems.

 

THE GUARDKNOX EV CYBERSECURITY SOLUTION

The customizable Built-to-Spec solution for Electric Vehicles brings a new paradigm to the cybersecurity of connected and autonomous EVs. Using a patented three-layer Communication Lockdown™ Methodology, GuardKnox serves as an EV Charging ECU deterministically verifying communication between the vehicle and the EV charging ecosystem.

Examining all messages on the routing layer, the content layer and the contextual layer, GuardKnox permits only “legal” communication while dropping all unauthorized or improper communication.

GuardKnox ensures that all communications between EV owners and the eMobility service provider during the recharging and billing process are fully secure. Not only does GuardKnox verify that only the proper data is shared with the eMSP but also prevents non-relevant data from the eMSP crossing into the internal network of the vehicle or accessing unauthorized areas of the vehicle such as the drivetrain or engine.

Vulnerabilities In the EV Charging Grid

Far Reaching Connectivity Means Several New Attack Vectors
(Colored code signifies compromised or malicious communication)

Vulnerabilities In the EV Charging Grid

Benefits of GuardKnox’s EV Cybersecurity Solution

Secure V2G Communication

Secure V2G Communication

Secure Financial Transactions

Secure Financial Transactions

Protection From Infected Vehicles

Protection From Infected Vehicles

Autonomous Protection

Autonomous Protection

Scalability To Support Future Services

Scalability To Support Future Services

Added Services For Recharging

Added Services For Recharging

Personalization

Personalization

Analytics & Reporting

Analytics & Reporting

Secure Environment

Secure Environment

LOOKING AHEAD

The GuardKnox Built-to-Spec solution for Electric Vehicles brings a new paradigm of autonomous, future-proof cybersecurity for electric vehicles. As the era of the combustion vehicles fades away and tens of millions of EVs are deployed, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems will allow idle cars to help balance the electrical grid by discharging energy back to the grid.

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