LG Magna earns cybersecurity certification ahead of new regulations

The joint venture established in 2021, LG Magna, which was formed by LG Electronics and Magna International, recently revealed it has been given the Cyber Security Management System (CSMS, ISO/SAE 21434:2021) certification by TV Rheinland, the global certification organisation. This seal of approval denotes LG Magna's adherence to vehicle cybersecurity guidelines and that it has put in place a protection plan hitched to the design, development and management of component-related cybersecurity activities.

The receipt of this certification holds considerable importance for LG Magna, as automotive cybersecurity is in line to gain increased prominence within the mobility sector when WP.29 UNECE R155 cybersecurity regulations come into effect soon. From July 2024 onwards, every single vehicle that is manufactured by automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must comply with a new suite of regulatory norms pertaining to cybersecurity management if they are to be awarded type approval. The latter is a requisite for selling vehicles in 56 nations, inclusive of EU members states, Japan, South Korea and the UK.

As part of these forthcoming rules, nations that have agreed to adopt the regulation will mandate that automakers ensure the complete and utter preparedness of all their systems and components against cybersecurity threats throughout the entire lifecycle of their vehicles. The ISO/SAE 21434 is an international standard related to vehicle cybersecurity that sets the protocols for establishing and maintaining cybersecurity — from the planning and development stage through to vehicle production, servicing, and ultimate disposal.

With these incoming regulations in mind, LG Magna is currently constructing a cybersecurity apparatus intended to meet the escalating demand from global automakers for high-quality, secure vehicle parts. LG Magna's scheme will involve that a comprehensive cybersecurity process be applied and methodically upgraded for each product throughout its lifespan. Notably this process will include listing and assessing security threats linked to the product with appropriate response strategies lined up as per ISO/SAE 21434 stipulations. LG Magna has also established systems and processes for risk monitoring, as well as the swift resolution of arising issues.

This focus on security adds to LG's existing reputation in the global automotive components and solutions market. For instance, the Vehicle component Solutions (VS) Company is known for its in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems. LG Magna is recognised for its contributions to electric vehicle powertrains, and ZKW, which LG owns, is a leading player in vehicle lighting systems.

LG Magna's acquisition of the CSMS certification underlines its commitment to security at a time when cyberattacks on vehicles are on the rise. "The demand from automakers for component solutions that ensure robust cybersecurity is growing at a rapid pace", according to LG Magna CEO, Cheong Won-suk. He also highlighted that as a leading global vehicle parts provider, LG Magna's aim is to deal with security vulnerabilities proactively and to constantly reinforce its systems and processes.