If you work in the cybersecurity industry, you are likely aware of the challenge in keeping up with the flood of news articles on cyber incidents targeting vehicles. The landscape is evolving as new attack vectors, such as APIs and EV charging stations, continually emerge. While the ongoing discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities serves as a continual reminder of the importance of maintaining a security-conscious mindset.

Threat actors are growing increasingly sophisticated, utilizing deep technical knowledge and widely available advanced tools. OEMs and suppliers are engaged in a race to identify and address vulnerabilities as quickly as possible.

Threat intelligence is key to understanding what threat actors are targeting because it provides insights into their methods, tools, and strategies, helping to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities.

In this blog post, we will explore the critical role of threat intelligence in Vehicle Security Operations Centers (VSOCs) and examine some key resources available for this purpose.

The Role of Threat Intelligence in VSOC

In a Vehicle Security Operations Center (VSOC), threat intelligence plays a crucial role by enabling a proactive defense and continuous monitoring of connected and autonomous vehicles. Here are the key aspects of its role:

Enhanced Threat Detection

• Identifying IOCS and TTPs: Threat intelligence helps the VSOC identify indicators of compromise (IOCs) and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) specific to vehicle threats, such as malware targeting vehicle systems or methods used to exploit vehicle communication protocols.

Proactive Threat Hunting

• Behavioral Analysis: Utilizing threat intelligence to understand patterns of attackers targeting vehicles allows the VSOC to proactively hunt for potential threats, identifying malicious activities before they cause significant harm.

Incident Response

• Detailed Investigations: Providing context around detected threats helps the VSOC prioritize and respond to incidents effectively. Understanding the nature and origin of a threat allows for a more targeted and swift response. Effective incident response also helps in protecting sensitive data, maintaining customer trust, and complying with regulatory requirements, all of which are essential for the company’s reputation and long-term success.
• Playbook Development: Developing and refining incident response playbooks based on the latest threat intelligence ensures that responses are tailored to the threat landscape for vehicle systems. By having refined incident response playbooks the VSOC team is able to close incidents faster and more efficiently.

Vulnerability Management

• Prioritization: Threat intelligence enables VSOCs to prioritize patching and remediation efforts based on the potential impact and likelihood of exploitation. This proactive approach ensures the security and integrity of the systems, safeguarding the organization’s assets and reputation.

Data Resources

• Threat Feeds: Continuous streams of data from various sources that provide up-to-date information on threats, including IOCs, malware samples, and attack patterns.
• Threat Reports: Detailed analyses and summaries of specific threats or incidents, often produced by cybersecurity firms, government agencies, or industry groups.

Security Awareness

• Educating Customers: Providing customers with insights and updates on the latest threats, helping them to understand the risks and adopt necessary precautions.

Threat Intelligence Data Resources

Below is a list of various data resources cyber security professionals can leverage for threat intelligence.

1. Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Auto-ISAC)

• Website: Auto-ISAC
• Description: Auto-ISAC provides a trusted platform for members to share and analyze threat intelligence specific to the automotive industry, promoting best practices for vehicle cybersecurity. One example of such is the Automotive Threat Matrix (ATM).

2. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International

• Website: SAE Cybersecurity
• Description: SAE provides standards and recommended practices for automotive cybersecurity, including threat intelligence and risk management frameworks.

3. European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)

• Website: ENISA
• Description: ENISA offers reports, guidelines, and best practices for automotive cybersecurity, focusing on emerging threats and vulnerability management.

4. Automotive Security Research Group (ASRG)

• Website: ASRG
• Description: ASRG is a global non-profit initiative that promotes the development of security solutions for automotive products through collaboration and research.

5. BlackBerry QNX Automotive Security Blog

• Website: BlackBerry QNX Blog
• Description: BlackBerry QNX provides insights and updates on automotive cybersecurity trends, threat intelligence, and best practices.

6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework

• Website: NIST CSF
• Description: NIST offers guidelines and best practices for cybersecurity risk management, which can be applied to the automotive industry.

7. CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC)

• Website: CERT/CC
• Description: CERT/CC provides vulnerability notes and advisories that are valuable for understanding threats affecting automotive software and systems.

8. MITRE ATT&CK® for Mobile

• Website: MITRE ATT&CK
• Description: While not automotive-specific, MITRE ATT&CK for Mobile provides a comprehensive framework for understanding adversary tactics and techniques that can be adapted for vehicle cybersecurity.

9. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

• Website: NHTSA Cybersecurity
• Description: NHTSA offers guidelines, best practices, and resources for vehicle cybersecurity, including threat intelligence and incident response frameworks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping up with the rapidly evolving landscape of vehicle-targeted cyber incidents is a significant challenge for those in the cybersecurity industry. Threat intelligence enables the Vehicle Security Operations Center (VSOC) to proactively defend against cyber threats by providing detailed insights into the methods, tools, and strategies of threat actors. This intelligence enhances detection capabilities, guides proactive threat hunting, and informs rapid and effective incident response. It also helps prioritize vulnerability management, support strategic decision-making, and facilitates collaboration and information sharing. By leveraging threat intelligence, the VSOC can better anticipate, recognize, and mitigate potential threats, thereby improving the overall security posture of their customers.