Standards for Cyber Security on New Cars gets the Green Light

Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, has today (April 11, 2017) given the green light to 5*StarS as part of the national strategy to establish the UK as a global centre for the development, testing and commercialisation of Connected Autonomous Vehicles.

5*StarS, which partners HORIBA MIRA, Ricardo, Roke, Thatcham Research and Axillium Research, will receive grant funding from the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, to launch the ‘Automotive Cyber Security through Assurance’ project. The project will address the increased threat from cyber security with the proliferation of connected and autonomous road vehicles.

Following its successful bid to secure funding, the consortium will research and develop an innovative assurance methodology to assure that connected autonomous vehicles components and systems have been designed and tested to the relevant cyber security standards throughout their whole lifecycle. The ultimate aim of the consortium is to develop a 5 star type consumer rating framework, analogous to existing EuroNCAP type ratings for vehicle safety.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “The race for developing connected and autonomous vehicles is accelerating and as a Government we are determined to build on our strengths and ensure the UK is at the forefront of this revolution.

“We have an excellent record in innovation in the UK and through our Industrial Strategy, we will build on our strengths so the UK auto sector remains world-leading. That is why we have announced support today for 5*StarS as schemes like these will be key to turning research and development into anchoring future production.”

Peter Shaw, chief executive at Thatcham Research, said: “Car security, and specifically cyber security, is one of the top concerns of UK insurers. We are increasingly seeing more connected vehicles launched every month, whether that is loaded with a new app, or the ability to connect with the Cloud to access data. Wherever there is a digital element in the car, it is vulnerable to attack. Consumers and insurers need to know what potential risk this connectivity has. The 5*StarS system will provide this, as well as drive car manufacturers to continually strive to improve car security.”

Chris Reeves, Head of Connected Autonomous Vehicles at HORIBA MIRA, said: “This project is a major step forward in not only clarifying the risks associated with connected autonomous vehicles for the insurance industry, but also in increasing consumer confidence. The project will also help to realise the commercial opportunity connected autonomous vehicles bring for the UK, and we’re delighted to lead a consortium of global players capable of addressing this major emerging challenge.”

Notes to Editors

ENDS

About Thatcham Research

Thatcham Research has been at the forefront of vehicle security standards since 1994, and is widely consulted by UK and International law enforcement and Government in regard to risk management of vehicles. It currently risk assesses every new passenger car and light commercial vehicle entering the UK fleet on behalf of UK insurers, to allow them to set vehicle insurance premiums.

It is also a leading member of the Euro NCAP consumer car testing consortium, which assesses and rates the safety performance for Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles entering the European market, and is also a leading researcher in the safe testing and assessment of autonomous vehicle technology.

Thatcham Research will lead the development and implementation of UK insurance assessment standards for automotive cyberphysical security using the rating system developed by the “5StarS” project.

About HORIBA MIRA Ltd.

HORIBA MIRA is a global provider of pioneering engineering, research and test services to the automotive, defence, aerospace and rail sectors. We work in close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers around the world, providing comprehensive support ranging from individual product tests to turnkey multi-vehicle design, development and build programmes.

With over 70 years’ experience in developing some of the world’s most iconic vehicles, our engineers utilise the latest test facilities and simulation tools to make vehicles and journeys safer, cleaner, more efficient and rewarding. Our suite of over 37 major test facilities, 100km of specialised proving ground and wealth of engineering experience, combined with our expanding international presence, means we are confident that we can achieve our vision – that by 2020 every journey in the world will be positively influenced by us. For more information visit www.horiba-mira.com.

About Ricardo plc.

Ricardo plc is a global, world-class, multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy. Ricardo’s people are committed to providing outstanding value through quality engineering solutions focused on high efficiency, low emission, class-leading product innovation and robust strategic implementation. With a century of delivering excellence and value through technology, its client list includes the world's major transportation original equipment manufacturers, supply chain organizations, energy companies, financial institutions and governments. Guided by its corporate values of respect, integrity, creativity & innovation and passion, it enables its customers to achieve sustainable growth and commercial success. Ricardo is listed in the FTSE4Good Index, which identifies global companies that demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.

About Roke

Roke is a world class British business that has been at the forefront of complex electronic systems development since its inception. Today with over 60 years of experience, Roke is a leading UK provider of research and development into cybersecurity, communication systems and autonomy working in National Security, Defence and Commercial markets. Roke is a major research provider to the UK government delivering both early stage research and full turnkey solutions. It has a reputation as being an organisation that embraces complex technological challenges and successfully delivers contract R&D on time and budget. Roke has experience in designing and developing complex systems that link real world sensors to state of the art machine learning systems creating true autonomy and insight. Roke is part of the Chemring Group. For more information, visit www.roke.co.uk.

About Axillium Research

Axillium Research are recognised leaders in open innovation, collaboration management, and delivery of strategic research programmes, and manage a £200m portfolio of public and private investment in Aerospace & Automotive, Knowledge & Learning, Advanced Materials, High Performance Technology, Defence & Security, Digital & Connected.

Axillium was founded in 2007 to provide business management and consulting support to companies researching and deploying high-value manufacturing technology. It has grown rapidly since and now focuses on providing specialist innovation management in research by establishing cooperative business methods within a specialised investment framework.

Axillium Research Innovation services; Establishes relationships and partnerships to support collaborative research; Supports access and introductions to investors in the public and private sector; Delivers research and project management support to industry, government and academia; Provides end-to-end research management frameworks giving clients freedom to focus their resources on core business and maximise innovation.

Axillium’s unique knowledge and experience of industry, academia and government, along with their ability to connect partners and find new approaches, allows them to build successful relationships, crossing technology barriers and setting the scene for successful delivery.