Contract Awarded for Security of Canada's Connected Vehicles
A contract valued at up to $1.3 million has been awarded to ESCRYPT to advance the development of a Canadian Security Credential Management System for connected vehicles.
Transport Canada's program to Advance Connectivity and Automation in the Transportation System (ACATS), which is helping Canadian jurisdictions prepare for connected and automated vehicles, got a boost recently with the announcement of a contract valued at up to $1.3 million awarded to ESCRYPT to advance the development of a Canadian Security Credential Management System for connected vehicles.
As part of the contract, ESCRYPT will be responsible for developing Canadian requirements for the system and recommending an operational model for how the technology may be deployed in Canada. Outcomes of this work will be an important element of the department's forthcoming cyber-security guidance – a signature initiative under Canada's Safety Framework for Automated and Connected Vehicles.
"Connected and automated vehicle technologies have immense potential, and will have a tremendous impact on our transportation system. Connectivity between vehicles and their surroundings is a core element of these future innovations. We have to ensure that Canada has a system in place to enable these vehicles to communicate securely, while protecting the privacy of Canadians, so that Canadians can have confidence in the transportation system of tomorrow," said Marc Garneau, Canada's minister of Transport.
"ESCRYPT is trusted by automakers, tier1 suppliers, and government organizations to provide security technology and expertise for connected vehicles. We are proud to be selected by the government of Canada to help set the direction for secure vehicle-to-anything communications in Canada. Together, we will solidify Canada's position as a leader in the development and deployment of secure connected vehicle technology," said David MacFarlane, general manager of ESCRYPT Waterloo.
Potential applications include:
- Traffic signal priority for emergency response vehicles such as ambulances, police, and fire trucks
- Real-time road condition advisories to warn drivers about potential hazards
- Warnings to advise commercial truck drivers about bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists