Manually scanning code for issues is nearly impossible, but automakers have to make sure their software is working correctly, and with the help of BlackBerry Ltd.’s new cyber security product Jarvis, that will be much easier.
Announced today during the keynote address at the North American International Automotive Show (NAIAS) by BlackBerry executive chairman and CEO, John Chen, Jarvis is a cloud-based static binary code scanning solution that finds, and fixes, vulnerabilities in software used in automobiles. Jarvis can be customized to ensure software, whether it’s developed by third-party suppliers or not, is evaluated at every stage of development. The new solution is a pay-as-you-go service and also scans software that’s under consideration, in addition to the existing infrastructure.
“Connected and autonomous vehicles require some of the most complex software ever developed, creating a significant challenge for automakers who must ensure the code complies with industry and manufacturer-specific standards while simultaneously battle-hardening a very large and tempting attack surface for cyber criminals,” Chen said.
Ryan LaFontaine, 2018 NAIAS Chairman, echoed Chen’s comments in a recent statement, adding cybersecurity has become a topic of “extreme importance” especially within the autonomous vehicle industry.
BlackBerry has already begun trialing Jarvis with automakers such as Jaguar. Dr. Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, says BlackBerry Jarvis reduced the time to assess code from 30 days to seven minutes during an independent study.
Jarvis can also be applied in other industries, he added, pointing to healthcare, industrial automation and aerospace. BlackBerry has scored several partnerships lately involving autonomous vehicle software. The company’s QNX safety operating system has gained the attention of NVIDIA and Baidu, both of whom have recently announced they will be incorporating the software in their own self-driving platforms.