The automotive industry is undergoing a digital revolution, with connected vehicles and advanced technologies transforming the way we think about security and access. As a result, the need for a robust automotive key management system has never been greater. These systems must address the specific needs of connected vehicles and the automotive sector, such as unique operational and security requirements.

Introduction

The automotive industry is undergoing a digital revolution. Vehicles are no longer just mechanical machines; they are software-defined, connected ecosystems with millions of lines of code, constant over-the-air (OTA) updates, and real-time communication between vehicle systems and the cloud.

This connectivity brings innovation — from advanced driver assistance to predictive maintenance — but also creates new cybersecurity challenges. At the heart of securing connected vehicles is cryptographic key management. Increasingly, the industry is realising that OEM-owned key management systems (KMS) are the only sustainable way to protect vehicles, customers, and supply chains.

Why Key Management Matters in Automotive Security

Modern connected vehicles rely on cryptographic keys to secure communications, updates, and data. These keys are essential for:

• Authenticating components and devices within the vehicle ecosystem.
• Encrypting sensitive data in transit and at rest.
• Securing OTA updates to prevent malicious software injection.
• Meeting regulatory requirements like UNECE WP.29 and the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
• Providing audit trails and tracking key movements to ensure accountability and compliance with security standards.

Without proper key lifecycle management, vehicles are exposed to:

• Firmware tampering and malware injection.
• Data theft from in-vehicle communications.
• Compliance failures leading to fines or blocked market access.
• Reputational damage from breaches affecting consumer safety.

The Risks of Outsourced Key Management

Historically, many OEMs have relied on Tier 1 suppliers or third parties to manage cryptographic keys. While convenient, this model introduces significant risks:

• Loss of Control – OEMs lack visibility into how keys are created, stored, and rotated.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities – Attackers can exploit weak points at suppliers to compromise the entire vehicle.
• Scalability Challenges – Managing millions of vehicles across global markets requires centralised, automated control.
• Compliance Gaps – Regulations increasingly require direct OEM accountability for security.

Without a centrally managed system, OEMs risk losing oversight and control over key security processes, making it harder to ensure keys are securely stored, organized, and accessed only by authorized parties.

Why OEM-Owned Key Management Is the Future

By owning their own KMS, OEMs can leverage a comprehensive range of solutions designed specifically for the automotive industry. These solutions include advanced electronic key systems and electronic key cabinets, which address unique challenges such as disorganization, unauthorized access, and operational inefficiencies. OEM-owned key management solutions are tailored to enhance security, streamline operations, and improve overall productivity for car dealerships and auto businesses.

Key benefits of OEM-owned key management include:

• Maintain End-to-End Trust – Ensure every cryptographic key is generated, stored, and revoked under OEM policies.
• Meet Regulatory Demands – Demonstrate compliance with WP.29, NIST standards, and the EU CRA.
• Strengthen Cyber Resilience – Detect and revoke compromised keys rapidly across fleets.
• Enable Secure Innovation – Support new business models like vehicle-as-a-service and autonomous mobility with trusted foundations.
• Reduce Long-Term Costs – Avoid reliance on suppliers for critical security infrastructure.
• Key Features – Benefit from real-time tracking, audit trails, and access control, which are essential for enhancing security and operational efficiency.

These electronic key management solutions deliver tangible benefits such as reducing loss, preventing unauthorized access, and minimizing paperwork, all while improving efficiency and productivity. For OEMs seeking to enhance security, improve productivity, and realize the full benefits of efficient key management, these systems are the perfect solution.

Check In and Check Out Processes in Key Management

In the fast-paced automotive industry, the check-in and check-out processes are fundamental to any effective key management system. These processes are designed to enhance security, streamline operations, and ensure total accountability for vehicle keys—whether in a car dealership, service department, or fleet management environment.

When a vehicle key is checked out, only authorized personnel gain access, and the key management system records every key movement. This creates a detailed audit trail, allowing managers to quickly identify the current user, monitor key activity, and ensure that all the keys are accounted for at any given time. By tracking key usage, businesses can reduce the risk of lost keys, unauthorized access, and costly mix-ups that can disrupt daily operations.

The check-in process is just as critical. When a key is returned, it is securely placed back into its designated location—often within an electronic key cabinet or physical key management system. The system updates in real time, confirming that the key is available for the next authorized user. This not only enhances security but also improves operational efficiency by saving valuable time that would otherwise be spent searching for missing keys or replacing lost keys.

How Device Authority Supports Automotive OEMs

Device Authority’s KeyScaler 2025 enables OEMs to implement automated, scalable key management systems tailored for the automotive ecosystem. It provides:

• OEM-Owned Cryptographic Control – Full visibility and ownership of keys across vehicles.
• Automated Lifecycle Management – Key issuance, rotation, and revocation at scale.
• Access Rights Management – Granular control over access rights for users, ensuring only authorized personnel can access keys, equipment, and vehicles.
• Comprehensive Audit Trails – Maintains detailed audit trails for all key access and key movements, supporting compliance, security, and accountability.
• Inventory and Vehicle Management – Streamlines inventory tracking for keys, access keys, equipment, and vehicles, improving operational efficiency and vehicle management.
• Range of Key Control Systems and Key Cabinets – Supports a wide range of key control systems and electronic key cabinets, offering flexible solutions for different dealership and fleet needs.
• Secure OTA Updates – Guarantee authenticity and integrity of vehicle firmware.
• Compliance Alignment – Built-in support for WP.29, CRA, and emerging global standards.
• Integration Across Supply Chains – Secure collaboration without sacrificing OEM ownership.

These features ensure that key access is securely managed and only accessed by authorized users, while audit trails and inventory management enhance security and operational oversight. By enabling quick and secure key access for test drives and service appointments, the system improves the customer experience and drives higher customer satisfaction for every customer interaction.

This approach empowers OEMs to lead the connected vehicle revolution while protecting drivers and meeting global security expectations.

Best Practices for Automotive Key Management

1. Centralise Key Ownership – Ensure all cryptographic control sits with the OEM.
2. Automate Key Lifecycle – Eliminate manual processes and reduce risk of human error.
3. Audit and Monitor Continuously – Prove compliance with regulators and partners.
4. Secure OTA Pipelines – Validate every update with strong key-based authentication.
5. Plan for Longevity – Vehicles may be on the road for decades; key strategies must match.
6. Implement Key Control Systems and Key Cabinets – Use electronic key control systems and key cabinets with individual compartments to enhance security, organization, and prevent unauthorized access to vehicle keys.
7. Enable Search Functionality – Integrate search features within your key control systems to allow quick and efficient retrieval of keys, supporting seamless test drive processes and improving the overall customer experience.
8. Optimize for Sales and Customer Experience – Streamline key management to reduce wait times, ensure keys are always available for sales staff and customers, and increase sales by supporting efficient test drive appointments and positive dealership reputation.

Conclusion

The future of connected mobility depends on trust. Without strong cryptographic foundations, vehicles remain vulnerable to attack, data loss, and compliance failures.

By adopting OEM-owned key management systems, automotive manufacturers can maintain security, resilience, and control across their entire ecosystem.

With KeyScaler, Device Authority provides the tools for OEMs to secure connected vehicles at scale, protecting both their customers and their brand reputation.