Hydrogen+. What expertise and innovations will you deploy for zero-emission transport, connected and autonomous vehicles?
Airbus Protect. We work on technologies such as electrification, hydrogen systems and artificial intelligence, as well as on the air and ground vehicle concepts that implement them. Our role is to develop and deploy the means to ensure a safe and secure framework necessary for the introduction of these new means of mobility, without imposing excessive constraints that would hamper innovation.
In addition to securing vehicles and distribution facilities, can you tell us about the cybersecurity issues in this deployment?
With the arrival of automation and the increase in communications with the entire ecosystem, and the major changes linked in particular to propulsion systems, the system architectures of today’s vehicles will be thoroughly reviewed, requiring at the same time a review of the cybersecurity mechanisms used.
For example, attack detection mechanisms involve many human interventions until, ultimately, the disengagement of corrupted systems to give control back to humans. In the case of an autonomous system, this last measure is no longer possible and must be managed by the system itself. Clearly, autonomous vehicles will have to be able to detect, with great precision and reliability, that they are under attack and be able to react to guarantee the safety of the vehicle, its occupants and its environment.
What can Airbus Protect bring in terms of safety for hydrogen mobility?
Airbus Protect has over 35 years of experience in analyzing risks related to the transport, storage and use of flammable substances such as hydrogen. We draw on our expertise in mastering phenomena to offer solutions adapted to each application. The services offered cover study, consulting and training activities.
Should we reinvent new security standards for new technologies? How do you work with the different players in these sectors?
The introduction of new technology requires the development of new standards, particularly in aeronautics where the certification process is based on industrial consensus that defines the means of demonstrating aircraft safety. However, these new standards are based on decades of experience and good practices that must be adapted to these innovations. We are active in several national and international standardization groups that are developing this new state of the art.
How do you support your customers in these security management processes?
We always start by studying the needs, risks and specificities of each client and each product. From this diagnosis, we draw on our multi-sector experience to offer tailor-made solutions to our clients. This includes advice to optimize system architectures, the development of strategies for assessing and demonstrating operational safety, cybersecurity and development rigor, but also the diagnosis and audit of compliance with standards or regulations.
Contact: Pierre Sécher, responsible for the development of hydrogen activities (https://www.protect.airbus.com)
