Data Protection Is Not an Optional Extra

European Data Protection Day was initiated by the Council of Europe in 2006. It is reminiscent of the Council of Europe Convention 108, passed in 1981. This convention requires signatory states to guarantee rights and basic freedoms with regard to automatic processing of personal data.

“Integrity, confidentiality and availability of data as well as security, protection and frugality when it comes to handling data are core principles of Continental’s business. This is why we have prohibited our employees from using certain social media applications such as ‘WhatsApp’ in the worldwide company network: In our opinion, these services have deficiencies when it comes to data protection,” Degenhart explained.

““Privacy and security by design” has become one of our core principles in the development of hardware and software. Right from the development phase, all interfaces with electronic systems in the car must be secured, data flows must be examined closely, and control options must be enabled for drivers and users,” declared Stefan Römmele, head of Strategy and Predevelopment for Security and Privacy at Continental. “After all, the connected devices must be secure not only individually but also as a group. It must also be guaranteed that personal data is used in a manner that ensures data privacy at all times over the entire service life of the vehicle.”

Continental ensures that all functions in the car are monitored continuously and receive regular security updates. Continental’s technology for secure wireless software updates (“over-the-air”) is also in use here. The software keys required for this are given such short lifetimes that they are forgery-proof while they are still valid. Every vehicle has its own digital key. However, “as in the case of a house, apartment, or laptop, even sophisticated security systems cannot guarantee absolute protection. The effectiveness of all systems must be checked regularly,” Römmele explained.