Modern vehicles are being equipped by manufacturers with ever more comprehensive comfort and assistance systems. Whether in the field of entertainment or safety - many of these innovations and further developments make driving more pleasant and safer for all of us. A disadvantage of this increasing connectivity is the vulnerability of such systems to unauthorized attacks by third parties - similar to modern computers or smartphones. This is why vehicle manufacturers have been working for some time on solutions to prevent hacker attacks. This also means, however, that the diagnosis in the workshop can no longer be carried out fully and easily via on-board diagnosis (OBD). The most prominent example is currently the automobile manufacturer FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.), which since 2017 has already equipped some of the latest models with a so-called "Security Gateway" (SGW) - a kind of "vehicle firewall". FCA thus locks out all non-authenticated workshops.
Therefore WOW! in cooperation with FCA develops a sustainable and easy to use software integration of the authentication process into WOW! diagnostic system. Thus, the latest FCA models will continue to be diagnosed in the future.
Development privilege thanks to years of collaboration
According to Markus Kühnemann, head of the car division at WOW! Würth Online World, "the years of close cooperation with vehicle manufacturers such as Fiat Chrysler have already enabled us to reach initial forward-looking agreements to solve this problem". The Künzelsau-based diagnostic specialist is one of only a few manufacturers on the FCA side to be legitimised to integrate its own authentication process via WOW! software. "The central acquisition of the Security Keys required by FCA for many newer models via our software as a goal means immense time savings for our customers. Since many other manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz are already working towards a similar verification procedure, we consider the global administration of access rights distributed by the manufacturer via a central tool to be the most customer-friendly solution," says Kühnemann.
Test phase and software adjustments necessary
According to Kühnemann, it will take some time before the solution can be finally integrated into the diagnostic software of the Künzelsauer Würth subsidiary. The function release planned for early 2020 is due to a necessary test phase and possible programming adjustments.
Transparency in the focus
"It is important to us that our customers know that we care and are addressing the challenges of the industry. Markus Kühnemann's premise is that "we want to inform our users honestly and transparently, especially on such a complex topic as the "Security Gateway". This is also a reason why we do not offer any of the bypass modules widely spread on the Internet. This is also being registered by vehicle manufacturers such as FCA, and is in line with the goal of sustainable problem solving within the software and also stands in contrast to the partnership with FCA.”
Which priority the topic Security Gateway has for the diagnosis specialist, shows not least also the video above from managing director Frank Bartsch, which refers likewise to the at present active development in co-operation with the FCA group.
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