01 Introduction
Media Access Control Security (MACsec) is the most advanced security solution for Ethernet. It provides integrity protection, replay protection, and optional confidentiality protection for virtually all frames traveling over the Ethernet. In contrast to other solutions, it includes unicast, multicast, and broadcast messages, as well as all protocols running at Layer 2.
The MACsec feature can be easily offloaded as it has been designed with very strong hardware support in mind. This leaves the resources of the application controller to the application while ensuring that MACsec runs at the highest possible speed to cover the full link speed with very low latency.
In the following section, we will introduce the advantages of MACsec technology.
Strengths
1. Supports secure transmission of unicast, multicast and broadcast data.
2. Allows virtual protection of all protocols, including Layer 2 protocols such as AVB TP (IEEE 1722).
3. Minimum attack surface for physical access medium attacks based on the ethernet link.
4. Hardware implementation achieves optimal performance with minimal impact on host system performance compared to alternatives.
5. Multiple standardized authentication mechanisms can be used to satisfy different requirements and use cases, if needed.
6. Protect from common attacks from the network stack base:
The Manipulating data on the ethernet link
. Middleman Attack
. Eavesdropping (when using optional encryption)
02 MACsec Applications in the Automotive Industry
Specific requirements (e.g., performance, vehicle assembly, and service) are very common in the automotive industry, and they also have a significant impact on conventional MACsec. MACsec deployments need to take into account assembly and maintenance as well as device activation processes. This includes key protocols and key configuration processes that require automotive functionality.
03 Future Prospects
Security is an important topic for the coming years. Strengthening and simplifying security concepts: Creating strong security concepts is a top priority! MACsec provides the best foundation for the most secure communication platforms with limited impact on the system.
Future E/E architectures will use MACsec to create high-performance, scalable, and trustworthy platforms. By putting security first, you can deploy faster on such platforms because most security challenges have already been solved.
EES has been updated to support MACsec.
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