Vehicle Sensor Hardware Security for Protected Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face vulnerabilities to unauthorized access through interfaces and data lines, posing cybersecurity risks to critical functions like electronic stability control and brake control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor with a housing, measurement interface, processing means, and a hardware security module that stores cryptographic keys to encrypt, decrypt, and validate data, along with structural shielding to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interfaces and data lines are provided for data exchange, then data communication capability is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized access increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hardware security module is introduced as an intermediary between the data interface and the processing means. This module encrypts data transmitted through the data interface, ensuring that even if unauthorized access attempts occur through the interface, the data remains protected. The security module acts as a mediator that maintains communication functionality while blocking unauthorized access at the data level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cryptographic transformations to change the state of data from plaintext to encrypted form. By transforming data parameters through encryption algorithms stored in the hardware security module, the system maintains data exchange capability while rendering the data unreadable to unauthorized parties. This parameter change approach allows normal communication while preventing unauthorized access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cryptographic keys are stored in software, then flexibility and ease of update is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the processing means for data processing, the data interface for communication, and a separate hardware security module for key storage and cryptographic operations. This segmentation isolates the cryptographic keys in a dedicated secure environment, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining system flexibility. The modular architecture allows updates to processing software without compromising key security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based key storage with a hardware-based security module. This substitution transitions from a software mechanism (which is vulnerable to unauthorized access) to a hardware mechanism (which provides physical and logical security boundaries). The hardware module implements cryptographic functions through dedicated circuitry, ensuring keys cannot be easily extracted or manipulated while maintaining update capabilities through secure protocols.
3Reliability
If hardware security module is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware security module is integrated with the sensor housing and processing means to form a unified secure sensor system. By merging the security functions with the existing sensor architecture, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate security devices. The security module shares physical and logical resources with the processing means while maintaining independent security boundaries, thus improving security without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor (1) for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, is disclosed, comprising: a housing (11); - a measuring interface (2) which is designed to detect a measured variable of the vehicle and which is designed to generate raw measured data (3) describing the measured variable; - a processing means (4) which is designed to process the raw measured data (3) into measured data (5), wherein the sensor (1) has at least one protective measure against unauthorized access. A vehicle is also disclosed.