Vehicle Telephony Control Unit Deactivation Against Unauthorized Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles face security vulnerabilities in their on-board data networks due to insufficient maintenance of mobile communications modules, leading to potential unauthorized data connections and risks from external attacks, even after support and updates are discontinued.
Innovation Solution
A method and device to permanently deactivate the mobile radio module of a telephony control unit in vehicles upon receiving a predefined deactivation command, ensuring only authorized access by comparing the command with a predefined reference, and optionally reactivating it through a secure reactivation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile radio module remains active for continuous communication, then data exchange capability is maintained, but security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access risks increase over time
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile radio module's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on service lifecycle. The module transitions from an active state during the service period to a deactivated state after service discontinuation, allowing the system to adapt its communication capability to match current security requirements and service availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deactivation of the mobile radio module in advance of potential security threats by monitoring service status. When the service provider discontinues support or security updates are no longer available, the module is proactively deactivated before vulnerabilities can be exploited, preventing future security incidents
2Reliability
If security updates are continuously provided, then vulnerability closure is achieved, but hardware performance insufficiency and support discontinuation prevent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the service status and support availability of the mobile radio module. When feedback indicates that the service provider has discontinued support or security updates are no longer provided, the system automatically triggers deactivation of the module, ensuring security without requiring continuous external maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's telephony control unit performs self-service security management by autonomously monitoring service status and deactivating the mobile radio module when support discontinuation is detected. This eliminates dependency on external maintenance and ensures security decisions are made based on actual service availability without requiring continuous manufacturer intervention
3Reliability
If the SIM card is deactivated, then some access is restricted, but the cellular modem continues to attempt network login and remains vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and addresses the root cause of security vulnerabilities by deactivating the entire mobile radio module, not just the SIM card. This removes the cellular modem's ability to attempt network logins and establish unauthorized connections, completely eliminating the attack vector rather than merely restricting SIM card access
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a telephony control device, a means of locomotion and a method for protecting a mobile radio module of a telephony control device for the means of locomotion against an unauthorized data connection. The method comprises the steps of receiving a predefined deactivation command via a wireless interface by means of the telephony control device and, in response thereto, deactivating the mobile radio module.