Fortifying Connected Vehicles Based Cybersecurity Measures for Secure Over-the-Air Software Updates

Shashikant Patil^1*, Senthil Kumar A.², Saket Mishra³, N. Gobi⁴, Intekhab Alam⁵, Romil Jain⁶

¹Professor, Department of uGDX, ATLAS SkillTech University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

²Professor, Computer Science and engineering, School of engineering, Dayananda Sagar University,

Bangalore, India

              ³Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India

⁴Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Jain (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India

⁵Assistant Professor, Maharishi School of Engineering & Technology, Maharishi University of Information Technology, Uttar Pradesh, India

 ⁶Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Emails: shashikant.patil@atlasuniversity.edu.in; angusen@gmail.com; saket.mishra.orp@chitkara.edu.in; gobi.n@jainuniversity.ac.in; intekhab@muit.in; romil.jain.orp@chitkara.edu.in

Abstract

The emergence of connected vehicles has transformed the automotive sector by enhancing the vehicle’s functionality, efficiency, and safety. The performance and security of these vehicles significantly rely on the deployment of the over-the-air software update. However, the execution of OTA comes with many challenges, especially with regard to security vulnerabilities and risks. The current paper delves into the complexities of the secure OTA software update for connected vehicles addressing the most critical issues; authentication; encryption and integrity verification, and risk management. Through advanced cryptographic methodologies, stringent authentication processes, and secure communication channels, automotive manufacturers and other service providers can guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of the updates, and consumers’ data from malicious attack. Moreover, the paper explores the regulatory and other standards-related matters that control the use of OTA in the automotive sector. An understanding of the secure OTA update mechanisms aids the stakeholders in establishing a resilient connection in connected vehicles boosting consumer trust and the future of the automobiles industry.

Keywords: Connected vehicles; Over-the-air updates; Security; Authentication; Encryption; Integrity verification; Risk mitigation; Regulatory compliance