NXP India, one of the biggest R&D Centres for NXP Semiconductors and leading organization in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications organized their 9th Mega Tech Summit- Security & Safety Week. With the theme ‘Are Safety and Security a source of competitive advantage for next-generation products’ the virtually held event shed light on how in the hyper-connected and constantly evolving Indian automotive sector, safety and security technologies should be given due importance.
Cybersecurity and functional safety, multilevel stakeholder collaboration & engagement, and sparking innovation through incentives, were identified as the pathway to an indigenous automotive ecosystem.The four-day long virtual event comprised of multiple engaging keynotes by NXP Global leaders starting with Rafael Sotomayor, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Connectivity & Security, Henri Ardevol, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Automotive Processing, Lars Reger, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer and Steve Owen, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
Lars Regar, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, NXP Semiconductors, said “Software functionality is important, but all security is actually interlinked and anchored. There’s nothing like distinct software or hardware security, it is the overall security that matters at the end of the day.”
Without stringent cybersecurity measures, the entire vehicle can be hacked. The notion that hacking is only limited to software or integrated systems is becoming a thing of the past with integrated and embedded systems coming into play. For strengthening cybersecurity through tech adoption and giving impetus to innovation, multiple players need to be on board. This cannot be done without government incentives, concerted approach and a knowledge sharing framework that involves all stakeholders.
Sanjay Gupta added “Safety and security are non-negotiable. Any future product irrespective of its performance and intelligence cannot capture the mass market without consumer’s ‘trust’. Hence future belongs to those who take a holistic approach to safety and security and is focused on correct-by-construct approach by building next-generation products and solutions.”
Functional Safety (ISO26262) integration into semiconductors development cycle is a niche skill and requires specialized training. Skilled workforce and keeping the curriculum in sync with latest industry innovations is another imperative for a world-class ecosystem.
“A nation that can do this best in keeping curriculum updated with times and imparting best-in-class training to college grads will have the thought leadership lead when it comes to innovations and building a tech ecosystem”, added Lars.
