V2X : Securing Vehicle to Everything

V2X : Securing Vehicle to Everything

Cars are getting more connected and autonomous driving is becoming a stronger reality. Now car manufacturers are facing the challenge of how they can trust the information that is received by each vehicle. In this perspective V2X communication will be a key factor to the success of autonomous cars.

What is V2X?

'Vehicle-to-Everything' also known as V2X refers to the passing of information from a vehicle to any entity that may affect the vehicle, and vice versa. V2X covers:

• V2I or 'Vehicle-to-Infrastructure' which is the exchange of data between a car and equipment installed alongside roads and that are generally called 'roadside units' (RSU). V2I can be typically used to broadcast traffic conditions and emergency information to drivers.
  
  
• V2V or 'Vehicle-to-Vehicle' relates to the transfer of data in between vehicles. Compared to what sensors can provide to the vehicle, information transmitted via V2V technology can come from vehicles few hundred meters ahead or even hidden vehicles from behind trucks or buildings.

Standardized V2X communication

The automotive industry has worked with regulatory bodies to standardize V2X communication. The objective was to ensure interoperability between vehicle brands and with the road infrastructure so standardized messages can be managed by all stakeholders.

In most countries governments consider V2X as a key technology to reduce road fatalities.  They are pushing the industry to shorten the deployment schedule for the technology. For car manufacturers, V2X, and more specifically V2V, is a milestone in the path towards fully autonomous cars.

Beside the challenge of choosing the optimum communication bearer (DSRC, C-V2X or hybrid), which keeps the industry and the mobile community very active, the security of V2X communication is also a key topic. Regulators have pointed out the need to protect the messages against fraudulent or misleading use. They also request the user’s privacy to be protected and preserved so the journey  of drivers cannot be easily tracked or reconstructed  by listening and compiling all messages a car sent and received in a period of time.

Leverage on Public Key Infrastructure to secure V2X

The principle of V2X communication security is based on signed messages using Public Key Certificates. In Europe and in the US, ETSI ITS and IEEE have both respectively defined PKI architectures to secure all V2V and V2I communications. For privacy protection purposes certificates have a fairly limited validity period and need to be changed regularly.

Read more : https://www.gemalto.com/automotive/use-cases/v2x