As the EV market grows, cybersecurity in Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) is often overlooked. EVSEs, crucial to supporting EVs, face significant cybersecurity threats due to their connectivity and exposure.

 At CharIN, we developed an EVSE threat model to identify vulnerabilities and guide industry stakeholders in addressing these risks. 

This model highlights common threats, including compromised cloud infrastructure, grid-level impacts, tampering with hardware, and payment processing failures. These risks are ranked using the High Consequence Event (HCE) methodology, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of potential impacts on the EV ecosystem. Categories such as Generic, Grid & EV, Implementers & Operators, and Payment & Billing reflect the diverse stakeholders affected by these threats. 

Looking ahead, as EVSEs become more integrated with smart grids and energy management systems, security must evolve. Future considerations include protecting data privacy, ensuring recovery from cyberattacks, and maintaining ongoing system resilience. Addressing these challenges will require a defense-in-depth approach, focusing on secure-by-design principles and proactive maintenance. 

CharIN is a non-profit organization in e-mobility development of Combined Charging System (CCS) and Megawatt Charging Sytem (MCS) standards, CharIN is committed to securing the future of EV infrastructure. Visit us at EVS38, where we will showcase our progress and vision for a secure, interoperable EV charging ecosystem. 

The EVSE Threat Landscape 

CharIN has developed an EVSE threat model to identify cybersecurity risks in EV charging infrastructure. This model covers vulnerabilities in charging stations, cloud systems, third-party services, and grid operators. Risks are ranked using the High Consequence Event (HCE) methodology, evaluating factors like event severity, recovery effort, and industry impact. 

The analysis identified four key threat categories: 

1. Generic Threats – Compromised cloud infrastructure could lead to widespread outages. 

2. Grid & EV Threats – Attacks on charging points or servers may disrupt charging services or destabilize the grid. 

3. Implementers & Operators – Tampering with hardware or admin networks can cause service disruptions and data breaches. 

4. Payment & Billing Threats – Payment processing failures could cripple entire charging networks. 

Future Considerations for EVSE Cybersecurity 

As EV charging infrastructure integrates with smart grids, a proactive approach to security is essential. Key considerations include: 

1. High Connectivity: EVSEs, as highly connected IIoT devices, are vulnerable to mass compromises, posing national security risks. 

2. Data Privacy: Protecting telemetry data from interception and manipulation is crucial for privacy and accurate infrastructure planning. 

3. Cyberattack Recovery: EVSEs need secure firmware update capabilities and the ability to revert to a trusted state after an attack. 

4. Ongoing Maintenance: Regular updates and monitoring are required to address fast-emerging threats, unlike the outdated "build-deploy-forget" model. 

5. End-of-Life Support: Ensuring continued software support, even after vendors stop, is critical to long-term infrastructure security. 

6. Insider Threats: Strong access controls and monitoring are needed to guard against malicious insiders. 

A defense-in-depth approach, focusing on connectivity, vendor independence, and secure communication (PKI), will mitigate systemic risks. 

CharIN's Role in Shaping the Future of E-Mobility 

CharIN, a global leader in e-mobility and a non-profit organization, is at the forefront of defining and advancing the standards for the Combined Charging System (CCS) Megawatt Charging System (MCS). By bringing together key stakeholders across the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, CharIN is driving the development of a secure, reliable, and scalable charging infrastructure for the future. 

We invite you to join us at EVS38, where we will showcase our latest progress in creating a harmonized and future-proof EV charging network. 

To delve deeper into the technical aspects of Threat Model and EVSE, we have published a comprehensive White Paper that explores the challenges and solutions surrounding cybersecurity in EV charging infrastructure. 

At CharIN, we believe that by tackling these challenges head-on, we can shape a safer, more efficient, and resilient future for e-mobility.