1. CRYPTA LABS in collaboration with
Joe Luong
CEO
CRYPTA LABS in collaboration with |

2. Secure Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) from cyber-attacks
Securing CAVs from Cyber Attacks
Institute for Future Transport and Cities (FTC)
Secure Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) from cyber-attacks

3. Problem 1 – Cybersecurity in CAVs
Hardware wallet hack of micro-controller (2018)
Problem 1 – Cybersecurity in CAVs
Automotive components and systems have become increasingly connected
Cars have the power of 20 computers, 100 million lines of programming code, and processes up to 25 Gb of data an hour
The hacking of a Cherokee Jeep in 2015
Weak random numbers affect all encryption methods that use Pseudo Random Number Generators
Commercial generators limited to specialized applications, such as encrypting military data / financial transactions
Commercial generators are much too large, or too slow, or too expensive for mass market use
Current attacks on PRNGs show the vulnerabilities of connected devices:
- Russian Casino: Four-person team earning more than $250,000 a week by
reverse engineering the algorithm
- Blockchain: Bitstamp confirmed loss 18,866 BTC equating to c.£10m
- Other major attacks on Critical Infrastructure and Automobiles show
additional vulnerabilities due to weak hardware securities

4. Problem 2 – Random Numbers
Hardware wallet hack of micro-controller (2018)
Problem 2 – Random Numbers
Most security systems today uses Software Encryption which has “determistic” Random Numbers (Pseudo Random Number Generators)
These are not truly random which can put the vehicles at risk of being hacked
Random Number Hacks
Weak random numbers affect all encryption methods that use Pseudo Random Number Generators
Commercial generators limited to specialized applications, such as encrypting military data / financial transactions
Commercial generators are much too large, or too slow, or too expensive for mass market use
Current attacks on PRNGs show the vulnerabilities of connected devices:
- Russian Casino: Four-person team earning more than $250,000 a week by
reverse engineering the algorithm
- Blockchain: Bitstamp confirmed loss 18,866 BTC equating to c.£10m
- Other major attacks on Critical Infrastructure and Automobiles show
additional vulnerabilities due to weak hardware securities
Russian Casino
( )
Bitcoin Exchange (2015)
Sony Hack
( )

5. Solution: Quantum-based Encryption
QRNG
CL uses random numbers from photonic properties which are truly random. CL solution prevents gaming of vulnerabilities in PRNGs.
CL provides miniaturised security for IoT devices
CL will initially focus on mission-critical IoT connections which need ultra-reliability, availability, low latency and high data throughput.
CL is in a consortium led by O2 in the multi-billion Euro C-Roads or Connected Roads program
We will further miniaturise, to chip level, to provide greatest possible reach of our technology. We aim to embed on an Intel and other chips, so we can be on all devices as standard feature
Quantum Random Numbers Generators (QRNG) based on quantum properties of photons (truly random) integrated directly on the CAN System
(we believe we’re the only company in the world doing this)
Communication between the car and external entities between the Gateway ECU within the vehicle and the outside world.
QRNG ECU provides a ’Random Number Service’ for use by other ECUs within the CAN bus.
It awaits a request for a random number, generates the number and then feeds it across the CAN bus to the recipient ECU for use with encryption tasks.
We have developed new methods for CAN security testing in the form of a methodology for future use for ECU-type components connected to CAN-type networks.
We have developed Test scripts to serve as templates for further follow-on testing, for design validation, performance evaluation, and refinement purposes.

6. QRNG ECU: MVP Ready for Trial
Our QRNG-ECU is a continuation of the existing work with the UK MoD and adapted for interface compatibility with a CAN-bus
Another ECU (ECU-2) module has been created to act as a secondary node on the CAN-bus and provide a party to interact with the QRNG-ECU
API developed for the QRNG-ECU to receive and transmit responses over the simulated CANbus environment

7. QRNG ECU: Future Development
Building upon this, Crypta Labs propose to further expand on the test environment and include telematics, i.e. communication from ECU-2 to the outside world.
Using the random numbers to transmit through the CAN-bus to initiate encrypted communication.
In partnership with O2, Teska Labs and other partners, we have developed our own Hardware Security Module to secure communications.
We are now developing we believe to be World’s First Quantum HSM integrated on an ECU

8. We need help!
We’re looking for Automotive OEMs and/or suppliers to participate in joint development and co-innovation for new products and solutions for CAVs
OEMs/suppliers and system integrators for expert input and to advise us of hardware security and design challenges they face
Trial/demo opportunities with vehicles on proving ground or lab-based simulated environments looking to secure the communication with the CAVs
CEO
Head of R&D
Joe Luong
20 years in technology, finance and operational leadership roles
Founded and exited
AdTech business
Dr Jose LG Coello
PhD in quantum physics leading Quantum technology development
CTO
Head of Engineering
Oliver Maynard
15 years in technology. Founded and exited IT & financial services business
Dr Siamak Tavakoli
PhD in Electronic Systems Engineering and Embedded System Design
CCO
Security Architect
Justin Roberts
10 years in corporate finance and VC investment and leads commercial roll-out
John Hughes
Former Silicon Valley CTO
With 30 years experience in IA Architect under the NCSC’s CCP scheme