Tata Elxsi to devise Automotive Cyber Security Solutions with IISc

Tata Elxsi and IISc formed a partnership to develop cybersecurity solutions for the automotive industry. Tata Elxsi a design and technology service provider across industries, announced the joint development of an Automotive Cyber Security Solution together with the Indian Institute of Science under the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding.

This joint development will leverage Tata Elxsi’s well-established, industry-acknowledged artificial intelligence and machine learning skill set and the business foray towards software-defined vehicles (SDV) & EV solutions, coupled with the strength of advanced research at IISc.

The strategic partnership has been formed to tackle the challenges posed by automotive cyber security in the complex in-vehicle sensor networks and the numerous software advancements that have defined the modern driving experience. With the emergence of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-anything (V2X) connectivity, the risks of theft, remote control, tampering, and personal information siphoning have increased significantly. Consequently, the researchers at IISc are concentrating on developing cutting-edge technologies for automotive vehicles, network security, smart grids, and other critical systems. Their efforts will help mitigate the risks associated with modern driving and improve the overall safety and security of our transportation systems.

This collaboration will also focus on security and threat detection in connected automotive vehicles, using AI & ML-based intrusion detection. The partnership will also work to prevent and detect potential security threats and anomalies with preventive insights on future and potentially more advanced threats in the system.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Raghavan, CEO & MD of Tata Elxsi, said, “Tata Elxsi recognizes that the automotive industry’s future depends on secure vehicles and trust. In the Connected vehicles space, we have made substantial investments to improve our solution stacks for Autonomous vehicles via our ADAS program, SDV architecture, and the like. As vehicles increasingly rely on digital technologies, ensuring cybersecurity is paramount. With IISc’s partnership focusing on Cybersecurity solutions and products, we are sure our clients and automakers can build safer, more resilient vehicles while providing peace of mind to end customers.”

Tata Elxsi has been actively developing its service and product portfolio for connected vehicles with an unwavering commitment to safety. Tata Elxsi’s innovative solutions aim to transform the landscape of automotive cybersecurity with a cutting-edge product created out of this joint development with IISc’s ECE department, under whose aegis this collaborative development work will be executed.

“In today’s digital and interconnected world, cybersecurity threats are growing with technological advances. At IISc, we are always keen on academia-industry partnerships that can help address such challenges. We are excited to join hands with Tata Elxsi to foster innovations in this important domain of security of connected automotive vehicles,” said Prof G Rangarajan, Director, IISc.

Regarding the association, Prof Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean of the Division of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences (EECS), IISc, said, “A modern car easily has upwards of 3000 chips sensing and controlling the car’s operation. The design complexity associated with enabling safe in-vehicle networking is enormous. This partnership brings together IISc’s strengths in cyber-physical systems security and Tata Elxsi’s strengths in design and technology to enable safe, secure, and connected mobility.” He emphasized the CSR grant provided earlier by Tata Elxsi for setting up an AI lab at IISc that has dramatically helped students of the institute’s MTech (Artificial Intelligence) program.

Tata Elxsi has been at the forefront of developing top-notch features for threat detection, threat prevention, and secure updates that effectively address privacy concerns. These features are consistent with the latest regulatory and compliance requirements governing the security solutions landscape in the realm of the connected vehicle. By partnering with another organization, Tata Elxsi will significantly boost its product portfolio, thereby enabling it to offer even more comprehensive and cutting-edge security solutions.