Navigating AIS-189: Cybersecurity Compliance in Indian Automotive Industry with CAN-IDPS and VSOC Solutions

Introduction: The Growing Need for Automotive Cybersecurity

With connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) becoming mainstream, cybersecurity threats have escalated significantly. From remote hacking attempts to CAN bus intrusions, the vulnerabilities in modern vehicles pose serious safety and operational risks.

Recognizing these challenges, AIS-189 (Automotive Industry Standard for Cyber Security and Cyber Security Management Systems, CSMS) has been introduced in India to establish a structured regulatory framework for cybersecurity compliance across all vehicle categories.

This article explores how AIS-189 mandates cybersecurity compliance, the role of CAN-IDPS (Intrusion Detection & Prevention System) in protecting in-vehicle networks, and the importance of a Vehicle Security Operations Center (VSOC) for continuous monitoring.

AIS-189: A Comprehensive Overview

📌 Scope & Applicability (Clause 1.0)

AIS-189 applies to the following categories of vehicles:

• M & N categories: Passenger and commercial vehicles
• T category: Vehicles fitted with at least one Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
• L7 category: Vehicles with SAE Level 3+ automation

This regulation ensures that cybersecurity principles are embedded in the entire vehicle lifecycle, covering: ✅ Development Phase – Cybersecurity by design, risk assessments ✅ Production Phase – Secure supply chain, secure software updates ✅ Post-Production Phase – Over-the-air (OTA) updates, monitoring, forensic analysis

AIS-189 is aligned with UN R155, making it a critical requirement for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers seeking regulatory approvals for vehicles in India.

📖 Understanding AIS-189’s Key Clauses for Cybersecurity Compliance

AIS-189 mandates a Cyber Security Management System (CSMS), which must be demonstrated for type approval. Key compliance areas include:

1️⃣ Cyber Security Management System (CSMS) – Clause 7.2

Clause 7.2.2 requires manufacturers to implement a structured CSMS, ensuring that cybersecurity risks are managed across:

• Development Phase (secure architecture design, threat modeling)
• Production Phase (secure software updates, anomaly detection)
• Post-Production Phase (continuous monitoring, forensic analysis)

Manufacturers must assess and mitigate threats based on AIS-189 Annex D, which details attack vectors and countermeasures.

2️⃣ Risk Assessment & Threat Mitigation – Clause 7.3.3

AIS-189 requires an exhaustive risk assessment for each vehicle type, covering: 📍 CAN bus vulnerabilities – Spoofing, message injection, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks 📍 Unauthorized remote access – Exploiting telematics, OTA updates, and infotainment systems 📍 Malware injection through OBD-II ports – Compromising ECUs via unauthorized diagnostic tools

✔️ CAN-IDPS plays a crucial role in addressing these threats by:

• Monitoring CAN bus traffic in real time
• Blocking unauthorized ECU messages
• Providing forensic logging for compliance reporting

3️⃣ Incident Detection & Response – Clause 7.3.7

AIS-189 mandates a structured incident detection & response mechanism, requiring manufacturers to: 📍 Detect and prevent cyberattacks (Clause 7.3.7.a) 📍 Monitor security events in real time (Clause 7.3.7.b) 📍 Provide forensic analysis capabilities (Clause 7.3.7.c)

✔️ A Vehicle Security Operations Center (VSOC) enables compliance by:

• Aggregating cybersecurity alerts from CAN-IDPS
• Performing AI-driven anomaly detection
• Providing proactive threat intelligence

🔍 Case Study: CAN Bus Spoofing Attack & AIS-189 Compliance

🚨 Attack Scenario:

An attacker gains physical access to a vehicle’s OBD-II port and injects malicious CAN messages to manipulate the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), causing unintended braking events.

🔎 AIS-189 Compliance Requirements (Annex D):

✔ Clause 4.3.2.4: Identifies CAN bus spoofing as a critical threat ✔ Clause 7.3.4: Requires manufacturers to implement proportionate mitigations

🛡 How CAN-IDPS + VSOC Prevents the Attack:

✅ CAN-IDPS detects unauthorized CAN messages and blocks them before reaching critical ECUs ✅ VSOC logs & alerts security teams to respond in real-time ✅ AIS-189 compliance is ensured through forensic logging & threat reports

How CAN-IDPS & VSOC Solutions Ensure AIS-189 Compliance

🔰 1. CAN-IDPS: Intrusion Detection & Prevention for In-Vehicle Networks

CAN-IDPS is designed to protect in-vehicle communication networks, such as the CAN bus, by detecting and mitigating cyber threats.

AIS-189 Compliance (Annex D, Part B & C) mandates protection against:

• Spoofing & unauthorized access (M10, M11)
• Message injection & manipulation (M6, M7)
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks (M13)

✔ CAN-IDPS safeguards vehicle networks through:

• Anomaly-based intrusion detection (detecting deviations in CAN traffic patterns)
• Message authentication & filtering (blocking unauthorized messages)
• ECU protection mechanisms (preventing firmware tampering)

🔰 2. VSOC: Real-Time Cybersecurity Monitoring & Response

To comply with Clause 7.3.7, AIS-189 mandates a centralized monitoring system for: 📍 Threat detection – Real-time alerting of cyberattacks 📍 Incident response – Automated mitigation & forensic analysis 📍 Compliance reporting – Documentation for regulatory audits

✔ A VSOC provides:

• AI-driven anomaly detection for CAN bus & telematics threats
• Fleet-wide monitoring of security alerts
• Automated remediation strategies to prevent large-scale breaches

🚀 Future-Proofing Automotive Cybersecurity in India

AIS-189 raises the bar for cybersecurity compliance in India’s automotive sector. Manufacturers must: ✅ Establish a CSMS for regulatory approvals ✅ Implement CAN-IDPS for intrusion detection & CAN bus security ✅ Leverage VSOC solutions for continuous monitoring & compliance reporting

🚗 AIS-189 is not just a regulation—it’s a cybersecurity framework ensuring vehicle resilience against evolving threats. Proactive adoption of intrusion prevention & security operations will define the future of automotive cybersecurity in India.

Conclusion: Securing India’s Connected Vehicle Ecosystem

AIS-189 ensures holistic cybersecurity measures for modern vehicles. By integrating CAN-IDPS and VSOC solutions, OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers can: ✔ Achieve full AIS-189 compliance ✔ Protect vehicle networks against cyber threats ✔ Ensure continuous security monitoring & risk mitigation

📌 Cybersecurity in vehicles is no longer optional—it’s a regulatory necessity. Let’s collaborate to build a secure, compliant, and resilient vehicle ecosystem for India! 🚗🔐

#AutomotiveCybersecurity #AIS189 #CANIDPS #VSOC #CSMS #VehicleSecurity #ConnectedVehicles #ThreatDetection #IndianAutomotive