IC Colloquium: Physical-Layer Insecurities of Cyber-Physical Systems
By : Sebastian Köhler - University of Oxford
IC Faculty candidate
Abstract
The growing reliance on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), such as smart grids and autonomous vehicles, makes their security more critical than ever. However, research has repeatedly shown that physical-layer security is often overlooked, leaving these systems vulnerable to attacks that compromise confidentiality, integrity and availability.
This talk will explore the key challenges in protecting CPS from physical-layer attacks, illustrating how their defining characteristic—bridging the digital and physical worlds—exposes them to novel threats. Using electric vehicle charging as a case study, I will present my research that uncovered significant vulnerabilities in critical sensors and communications used in the charging infrastructure. Specifically, I will highlight how design flaws and a lack of consideration for adversaries at the physical layer have left one of the most widely used EV charging standards vulnerable to wireless attacks.
While the physical layer is often seen as an attack vector, it also provides valuable information. I will conclude my talk by discussing how immutable physical-layer properties can be leveraged to improve system resilience to attacks.
Bio
Sebastian is a Senior Research Associate and a Royal Academy of Engineering UK Intelligence Community Fellow in the Systems Security Lab at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, where he works on and coordinates research activities in wireless and physical-layer security. Since joining Oxford for his PhD in 2018, Sebastian has focused on the physical-layer security of Cyber-Physical Systems, spanning space and satellite systems, smart grids, and autonomous and electric vehicles. For his work on the security of the EV charging infrastructure, Sebastian was awarded the EPSRC Doctoral Prize, MPLS Early-Career Research Impact Award and the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus Award for Outstanding Publication.
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IC Faculty candidate
Abstract
The growing reliance on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), such as smart grids and autonomous vehicles, makes their security more critical than ever. However, research has repeatedly shown that physical-layer security is often overlooked, leaving these systems vulnerable to attacks that compromise confidentiality, integrity and availability.
This talk will explore the key challenges in protecting CPS from physical-layer attacks, illustrating how their defining characteristic—bridging the digital and physical worlds—exposes them to novel threats. Using electric vehicle charging as a case study, I will present my research that uncovered significant vulnerabilities in critical sensors and communications used in the charging infrastructure. Specifically, I will highlight how design flaws and a lack of consideration for adversaries at the physical layer have left one of the most widely used EV charging standards vulnerable to wireless attacks.
While the physical layer is often seen as an attack vector, it also provides valuable information. I will conclude my talk by discussing how immutable physical-layer properties can be leveraged to improve system resilience to attacks.
Bio
Sebastian is a Senior Research Associate and a Royal Academy of Engineering UK Intelligence Community Fellow in the Systems Security Lab at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, where he works on and coordinates research activities in wireless and physical-layer security. Since joining Oxford for his PhD in 2018, Sebastian has focused on the physical-layer security of Cyber-Physical Systems, spanning space and satellite systems, smart grids, and autonomous and electric vehicles. For his work on the security of the EV charging infrastructure, Sebastian was awarded the EPSRC Doctoral Prize, MPLS Early-Career Research Impact Award and the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus Award for Outstanding Publication.
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Practical information
- General public
- Free
Contact
- Host: Jean-Pierre Hubaux