Panasonic Automotive Systems and VicOne Deepen Cooperation to Expand Innovation in Next-Generation Smart Cockpit System Security

On August 5, Panasonic Automotive Systems Corporation and VicOne Corporation, a subsidiary of Trend Micro Incorporated, announced the expansion of their security innovation capabilities to support container environments in next-generation cockpit systems, and have completed technical verification.

Image source: Panasonic

This security innovation integrates VicOne's xCarbon vehicle security software into Panasonic Automotive Systems' VERZEUSE® for Virtualization Extensions Type-3 attack detection and protection innovation, released in October 2024, to expand its capabilities.

This enables effective monitoring of communication between containers on the Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) reference board, proving its applicability to next-generation vehicle cockpit systems. This security innovation will be showcased at the 31st ITS World Congress held in Atlanta from August 24 to 28, 2025.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Corporation's VERZEUSE® for Virtualization Extensions Type-3 can monitor communication between the following two software areas: (1) software areas such as the infotainment system container in the vehicle control virtual machine, which are vulnerable to attacks due to being connected to external networks; (2) software areas such as the dashboard container in the vehicle control virtual machine, which implement basic vehicle functions like control functions and software update functions. The monitoring function is installed in an isolated container, allowing it to monitor communication from a secure area, and detect and block suspicious communications. This can protect the vehicle's basic functions from cyber attacks and enhance vehicle safety. This method also satisfies the security requirements of next-generation cockpit systems utilizing virtualized environments.*

VicOne's xCarbon is a vehicle security software designed to detect and defend against cyberattacks. By integrating xCarbon with the extended interface of VERZEUSE® for Virtualization Extensions Type-3, it can monitor communication between containers, thereby protecting next-generation cockpit systems from threats such as exploitation of vulnerabilities and communication errors. Additionally, VERZEUSE® for Virtualization Extensions Type-3 can identify high-risk communications and send them to xCarbon for more efficient security monitoring.

In recent years, with the advancement of SDV technology and the increase in the number of connected vehicles, the risk of cybersecurity threats such as network attacks on vehicles has also increased. In January 2021, the United Nations issued the UN-R155 automotive cybersecurity regulation. In Japan, this regulation has been applied to some vehicles since July 2022 and will be applicable to all vehicles starting in May 2026. According to this regulation, vehicles lacking adequate cybersecurity measures will not meet safety standards and will be prohibited from being sold. Therefore, security has become a growing focus of attention for automakers and related companies.

Panasonic Automotive Systems and VicOne will continue to strengthen the cybersecurity of next-generation automotive cockpit systems.