The big idea is that someone needs to protect connected vehicles against cyber-attacks as they get more IT orientated. The companies will build vehicle SOCs that enable accurate detection and early response to attacks and help strengthen Cybersecurity measures in the automotive industry.

Panasonic has already been operating SOCs for factories since 2016 to protect systems and networks that manage and control factory equipment and production processes against cyber-attacks – prior to SOC for automobiles.

It has so far come up with an Automotive Intrusion Detection System that mounts on a vehicle, detects a cyber-attack and transmits analysis data to the vehicle SOC. A Security Information and Event Management System analyses and visualizes a large amount of data received from the Automotive Intrusion Detection System in the vehicle SOC.

Meanwhile, McAfee supports SOCs and Managed Security Services (MSSs) and builds and operationally supporting numerous SOCs. The company will bring these together and start building vehicle SOCs to monitor cyber-attacks conducted against vehicles worldwide.

The Vehicle Security Operation Centre will enable monitoring services to monitor connected cars worldwide and contribute to the development of a safe and secure mobility society, the two companies claim.