5StarS begins consultation with automotive industry in new vehicle cybersecurity rating scheme

The 5StarS consortium – which brings together key research bodies HORIBA MIRA, Ricardo, Roke, Thatcham Research and Axillium Research to address the increased cybersecurity threat around connected and autonomous vehicles – has today released a consultation paper to seek feedback on a new assurance framework to assess the cybersecurity of vehicles.
 
The 5Stars project – which is funded by Innovate UK – is seeking feedback on its consultation paper, from automotive manufacturers, government and insurers to ensure this revolutionary framework is readily adopted when finalised this summer.
 
With the rise of new and ingenious technology becoming a common component of new vehicles – from in-car entertainment, to connectivity that will boot up our homes as we drive there – manufacturers must have proven, built-in safeguards and resilience against the emerging threat of cyber attacks. Furthermore, the arrival of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is also accelerating the debate around technology’s role, and impact on, road safety.
 
Continuing to build consumers’ trust in both vehicle safety and cybersecurity is therefore critical. Thus, the 5StarS mission is to develop an assurance framework that underpins future assessments of the cybersecurity capabilities of new vehicles and their resilience to attacks.
 
The 5StarS assurance framework outlined in the consultation paper will enable manufacturers to gain assurance in their products, use resilience as a market differentiator and establish meaningful ways of communicating cybersecurity risk to consumers.
 
The paper provides a roadmap to increasing assurance, which starts by meeting the requirements of the emerging regulations and standards such as ISO/SAE 21434, while introducing independent vehicle vulnerability assessments.  This allows the framework to be adapted to cope with continually changing threats. The paper also proposes a consumer-facing risk rating system to reassure consumers about their choice of vehicle.
 
Paul Wooderson, cybersecurity principal engineer at HORIBA MIRA and 5StarS project lead, said: “It’s important we address cybersecurity assurance for connected and autonomous vehicles, not only for vehicle manufacturers but for the automotive industry as a whole, as well as insurers and consumers. We are now inviting feedback on this paper, which we will use to further enhance the 5StarS framework, providing a positive solution for trusted and resilient mobility.”
 
“For many years now, consumers have been able to make their new vehicle purchasing decisions informed by clear and easy-to-understand crash safety ratings,” explains Nick Tebbutt, Ricardo business manager for cybersecurity. “One of the principal aims of the 5Stars project has been to develop such a rating system for product cybersecurity, a product attribute in that is in many respects no less important. Ricardo is pleased to be playing an active role in this project, and we very much welcome the publication of the 5Stars consultation paper that has been announced by the consortium today.”

For a full copy of the press release issued today by the 5StarS consortium, visit: https://5starsproject.com/news/5stars-begins-consultation-with-automotive-industry-on-new-vehicle-cybersecurity-rating-scheme/