Three Ways to Deliver Safer and More Secure Automotive Software

Addressing safety, security, and compliance for embedded software systems

Millions of lines of software code are driving the latest innovations in today’s vehicles. From the engine to brakes, navigation, and safety systems, software is being used by automobile manufacturers and their suppliers to bring cutting-edge features and functionality to their vehicles. And, there are no signs of automotive software slowing down.

With software-driven innovation comes the reality of coding defects, failures, and the potential to become a target for hackers. Over the last several years, car manufacturers have recalled millions of vehicles as a result of software errors, and recent studies by the Center for Automotive Embedded Systems Security (CAESS) have shown that it is possible to expose a vehicle to malware and cause it to crash — literally.

The penetration of software into an industry traditionally focused on hardware is presenting auto manufacturers with a new challenge: ensuring that the software used in their vehicles is secure and reliable as it increases in volume and complexity.