Improving travel safety: Selectron & Irdeto become partners in cybersecurity solution for rail vehicles

• Selectron Systems AG, a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, has selected Irdeto, a leading supplier of digital security, for its new Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution
• As a new foundational cloud service within Knorr-Bremse, the PKI will enable implementing Identity and Authentication Control (IAC) for vehicle control units and subsystems
• Identity and Authentication Control is a cornerstone for protecting control devices against a range of critical cyber threats
• For Knorr-Bremse, this is an important step in providing secure devices and systems, which will further enable digitalization of transportation business models

Selectron Systems AG, a Swiss-based company specializing in system solutions for automation in rail vehicles and a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, the global market leader for braking systems and other systems for rail and commercial vehicles, announced that it has selected Irdeto as a partner for securing identities and authentication of the Group’s connected transport components and systems. Irdeto’s Keys & Credentials solution will protect the identity and integrity of thousands of safety-critical embedded products, such as Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS) or Electronic Control Units of commercial vehicles and many more against security threats.

As transportation operators maintain complex, often international and increasingly connected infrastructures, the safety of travelers and preservation of commercial goods from cyberattacks remain a top priority. From threat actors gaining remote access through weak points in the network to physical hacking into unsupervised vehicles’ equipment: Safeguarding the integrity of critical systems that control this infrastructure – whether these are braking, steering and other control systems – is vital to ensuring smooth and safe operations for operators and manufacturers.

Therefore, Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Selectron has integrated the Irdeto Keys & Credentials solution for managing the lifecycle of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates embedded in its products. The solution will enable Knorr-Bremse and Selectron to bring peace of mind to its customers by deploying the most advanced, safe and trustworthy products and services, compliant with the emerging ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards for rail vehicle systems, the ISO/SAE 21434 for commercial vehicle systems and the established ISO 27001. The partnership marks yet another important step for Knorr-Bremse’s and Selectron’s joint initiative to be at the forefront of providing secure vehicle control devices resilient against cyber threats.

Dr. Thomas Fischer, CEO of Selectron Systems AG, said: “Vehicles have become internetworked, internet-connected systems on wheels, and our focus on digital security has grown to meet this challenge. The PKI solution is an important step in our ambition to set new standards for cybersecurity in the connected transport space. We are looking forward to partnering with Irdeto and utilizing its wider range of cybersecurity solutions.”

“This partnership marks a new standard of security across the rail and commercial vehicles sector,” added Niels Haverkorn, General Manager Connected Transport at Irdeto. “As the entire transport ecosystem becomes connected, the cybersecurity threat is becoming more real. Irdeto has vast experience helping and supporting customers secure their solutions, and we are excited to bring our knowledge into the connected transport space.”

Irdeto’s solution embeds strong PKI certificates at scale into vehicle control units (VCUs) and other microcontrollers that are built into Knorr-Bremse’s components, such as Selectron’s new secure Central Processing Unit (CPU) for TCMS. This guarantees that they can always be identified, trusted, and possibly revoked within the transportation communication infrastructure over its lifetime – ensuring safety and compliance.

Unlike many other commercial off-the-shelf PKI solutions, Irdeto Keys & Credentials is an adaptable and multi-faceted solution, ready and able to meet Knorr-Bremse’s and Selectron’s requirements for security, compliance, flexibility and ability to operate at unprecedented scales. This partnership sets the standard for secure rail travel and commercial transportation in a world where cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vital to ensuring safe operations.

About Knorr-Bremse

Knorr-Bremse (ISIN: DE000KBX1006, Ticker symbol: KBX) is the global market leader for braking systems and other systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Knorr-Bremse’s products make a decisive contribution to greater safety and energy efficiency on rail tracks and roads around the world. About 29,000 employees at over 100 sites in more than 30 countries use their competence and motivation to satisfy customers worldwide with products and services. In 2019, Knorr-Bremse’s two divisions together generated revenues of EUR 6.9 billion (IFRS). For more than 115 years the company has been the industry innovator, driving innovation in mobility and transportation technologies with an edge in connected system solutions. Knorr-Bremse is one of Germany’s most successful industrial companies and profits from the key global megatrends: urbanization, sustainability, digitalization and mobility.

About Irdeto

Irdeto is the world leader in digital platform security, protecting platforms and applications for video entertainment, video games, connected transport and IoT connected industries. Irdeto’s solutions and services enable customers to protect their revenue, create new offerings and fight cybercrime. With more than 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto’s software security technology and cyberservices protect over six billion devices and applications for some of the world’s best-known brands. With a unique heritage in security innovation, Irdeto is the well-established and reliable partner to build a secure future where people can embrace connectivity without fear.

For more information, please visit www.irdeto.com.