Vehicle Key Management System for Secure Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle communication systems lack a secure and efficient method for key management and authentication, particularly in establishing trusted communication paths between vehicles and external services, leading to vulnerabilities in data integrity and security.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating and managing cryptographic keys within the vehicle manufacturer's sphere of influence, creating a circle of trust through deterministic derivation of keys from a master key, enabling secure key distribution and authentication using asymmetric and symmetric keys, with a centralized key management system and public key infrastructure (PKI) for bidirectional communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic key material is provided for each vehicle function using standalone solutions or existing systems, then cryptographic protection is achieved, but system complexity and key management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cryptographic key management functions into a single centralized key management system. Instead of using separate standalone solutions for each vehicle function, the system consolidates key generation, storage, distribution, and rotation operations into one unified infrastructure that serves all cryptographic needs across the vehicle and its communication partners.
Solution Approach 2:
The key management system is designed to be universal, supporting multiple cryptographic functions and communication scenarios through a single system. It can manage symmetric keys for efficient communication, asymmetric key pairs for authentication, and rotate keys across different vehicle functions and external service providers without requiring function-specific key management solutions.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing cryptographic systems are used for vehicle functions, then implementation is straightforward, but they are not ideally suited for vehicle-specific authentication and communication security requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts cryptographic systems to meet vehicle-specific requirements by implementing localized security measures tailored to automotive contexts. This includes generating vehicle-specific key pairs, implementing authentication protocols designed for vehicle-external service communication, and managing keys in a way that addresses the specific threat model and communication patterns of modern vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes cryptographic parameters and configurations to suit vehicle applications. It implements vehicle-specific key derivation functions, custom authentication protocols, and key rotation schedules that differ from generic cryptographic systems, thereby achieving both ease of implementation and high security suitability for automotive environments.
3Reliability
If a centralized key management system with deterministic key derivation is implemented, then key distribution and authentication become more secure, but the system requires complex infrastructure within the manufacturer's sphere of influence
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary key generation and distribution actions during vehicle manufacturing and initial setup. The master key is established beforehand, and all vehicle-specific cryptographic materials are derived and distributed in advance through secure channels, eliminating the need for complex real-time key management operations during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized key management system as an intermediary between the vehicle manufacturer and the vehicle. This intermediary handles all complex key generation, derivation, distribution, and rotation operations, thereby securing key distribution while managing the infrastructure complexity in a centralized location rather than distributing it across multiple vehicle systems.
4Reliability
If bidirectional authentication is implemented for all communication partners, then communication security is improved, but the authentication process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication setup by pre-distributing public keys and authentication credentials to all communication partners during vehicle manufacturing or initial registration. This allows bidirectional authentication to proceed efficiently during actual communication by using pre-established trust relationships rather than performing full authentication rituals each time.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process is segmented into different levels and scenarios. The system implements efficient authentication mechanisms for different communication partners (e.g., simplified authentication for trusted internal vehicle components versus more rigorous authentication for external service providers), thereby reducing overall authentication time while maintaining security where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for secure communication of a vehicle (14). The following steps are provided: - Generating a key pair (22) consisting of a private key and a public key and/or one or more symmetric keys for the vehicle (14) or for a control unit (28, 30, 32) of the vehicle (14) within the vehicle manufacturer's sphere of influence, - Generating an initial certificate (24) with the key pair (22), - Introducing the key pair (22) and the initial certificate (24) and/or the symmetric keys into the vehicle (14) or the control unit (28, 30, 32), - Authenticating the vehicle (14) or the control unit (28, 30, 32) to a new communication partner (38, 40) by generating a new key pair (50) for this communication channel and sending a signed message together with the certificate (24), and - Authenticating a new communication partner (38,40) to the vehicle or the control unit (28, 30, 32) with a signed message and a public key created by the new communication partner based on certification by the vehicle manufacturer.