Harman says the recent acquisition of software management technology provider, Redbend, is a “great move” in the arena of ensuring cybersecurity.
The issue of cybersecurity is a key driver for technology companies wishing to incorporate their systems into modern vehicles, but Harman is confident its purchase of Israeli-based Redbend will allow it to meet the challenge.
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“Nobody can give [a] guarantee, but we can guarantee we do our very best technically,” Harman technology infotainment director, Hans Roth, told just-auto at this week’s Geneva International Motor Show.
“[Information is] also very strictly control [led] through a firewall in order to let through what is really allowed and to detect what is an intrusion. When you need it, it is there and that is how the sector must be as well.
“We have to do more because there are people who try to…make a game out of that. That is why we have a great move that we have Redbend in our family. They are a part in that space and also working with OEMs to provide updates.”
Redbend is a provider of software management technology for connected devices and over-the-air (OTA) software, as well as firmware upgrading services.
The Israeli company has more than 15 years of technology development experience, delivering software management and OTA solutions to handset manufacturers and mobile carriers.
“Every car will be in the future connected,” said Roth, adding: “There will be more possibilities to access the car.
“In the past there was one connector under the hood. Now we have telematics, wi-fi, hotspots and we have all channels you can think of.”
For his part, Harman president and CEO, Dinesh Paliwal, noted: “In the connected car, Redbend’s OTA and virtualisation technology will help us tackle two of the most significant challenges; upgradeability of embedded software systems and cybersecurity.”
Harman says there are more than 2bn Redbend-enabled devices in the market globally, which are regularly being updated.
Redbend will operate within Harman as an independent business unit led by its existing management team.
