Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

Harman, a provider of connected technologies for automotive markets, and Airbiquity, which specialises in connected vehicle services, have launched what they claim is the first automotive grade end-to-end intrusion detection system for connected vehicles.

The companies say that with the increasing dependency on software to power vehicle systems and features, cybersecurity has become a threat to connected vehicles and the introduction of new driving assistance, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and autonomous driving capabilities.

By combining Harman’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention System inside the vehicle with Airbiquity’s cloud-based Choreo service delivery platform and software and data management solution, the two companies say they now deliver “the most robust connected vehicle security threat detection and response capability for automotive customers and their consumers alike”. 

Harman’s embedded EcuShield software – which provides continuous security threat monitoring and identification for internal vehicle networks – detects and logs security intrusions locally.

Once logged, Airbiquity’s Choreo platform and software and data management solution collects the EcuShield intrusion information from the vehicle, aggregates it in the cloud, and automates alerts and reports so automotive customers can quickly assess and execute security-centric actions – including the secure transmission and installation of vehicle software updates from the cloud to mitigate future threats and restore impacted systems and components.

Saar Dickman, vice president, automotive cyber security at Harman, says: “Car hacking is a very real threat that will continue to increase as we move towards greater connectivity and autonomous vehicles, with more and more new technologies becoming part of the Internet of Things.

“Following years of research in developing EcuShield, we’re delighted to be working with Airbiquity, a likeminded partner, to offer the industry the first end-to-end IDS solution that combines our company’s embedded capabilities with Airbiquity’s comprehensive back-end software and data management solution. Our mutual goal is to help our customers in ensuring vehicles are safe and secure.”

Kamyar Moinzadeh, president and CEO of Airbiquity, says: “Integrating Harman’s EcuShield technology with Airbiquity’s software and data management offering further strengthens our ability to deliver advanced, reliable, and secure end-to-end connected vehicle services to our automotive customers.

“Given the high priority of vehicle security we believe threat detection must be a mandatory component of any connected vehicle solution, and Airbiquity is delighted to partner with Harman to jointly leverage our technology assets and meet this critical need.”