"Range anxiety" is often cited as one of the biggest challenges to electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Because EVs can travel only a limited distance on a charge, having charging stations nearby is non-negotiable. Unless you live in the middle of absolute nowhere, you probably don't have to worry about finding a gas station nearby, but the same isn't true of EV charging stations. It's no surprise that the European EV charging market is expected to grow to$7.8 billion by 2028. As more electric vehicles arrive on the world's roadways, so does the need for a secure charging infrastructure that can keep up with the demand.

Prioritizing the Security of the EV Infrastructure

In the rush to meet consumer demand, security is often an afterthought. Many older enterprise networks are just one example of how cyberattacks and data breaches are almost inevitable when security is tacked on later. This typical mentality of "build then secure" is particularly problematic for the EV infrastructure because of the massive size of the ecosystem, close and continued interaction with consumers, and the connection to the larger electric grid. A single compromised device, such as an EV, EV charger, or other device in the ecosystem, can infiltrate all network devices.

Cybersecurity needs to be prioritized to reduce risks and protect all concerned parties. Security and segmentation features are critical to prevent widespread security incidents and centralized management, and secure remote access and analytics are vital to efficient operations.

Making the Switch to Electric

Secure, reliable networks are essential to giving individuals, businesses, and fleets the confidence to make the switch to electric. Yet today, the EV charging ecosystem is rapidly evolving and is already becoming a target for threat actors. Compromised devices have the potential to cause significant harm and damage, but microsegmentation techniques can help ensure threats do not proliferate and cause even more harm. It's critical to secure all traffic to make sure only the right people have access to the right components at the right time. Centrally applying controls also helps organizations comply with ever-increasing regulations and ensure enhanced cybersecurity resilience and trustworthiness.

Fortinet is positioned to be a strategic partner in creating a scalable, reliable, secure, sustainable, and safe EV infrastructure with solutions that provide:

• High availabilityto ensure the services are always available across a variety of diverse sites
• Visibilityinto the charging ecosystem and the means of control
• Centralized managementto ensure security and policy standards are met
• Automationto improve operational efficiency and analytics to provide insights that can be used as part of a continuous improvement program

Learn more in Secure the Future of Connected Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions.

Learn more about how Fortinet secures energy, utilities, and power against cyberattacks.