Managed IoT Connectivity Blog

Enhancing Security and Insight for EV Charging with Sentinel®

Written by Kajeet | Jul 11, 2023 1:55:49 PM

In today's rapidly evolving world, the electric vehicle (EV) industry is gaining significant momentum. As more EVs hit the road, ensuring security, peace of mind, and seamless functionality becomes paramount. In this blog post, we'll explore the innovative tools developed by Kajeet , specifically their Sentinel® platform. These tools offer customers in the EV space a heightened level of security, control over data flow, and valuable insights for informed decision-making.

Let's delve into the details.

Sentinel: Enhanced Cybersecurity Features for EV Charging Solution Providers

Kajeet's private mobile network, known as Sentinel, exemplifies our commitment to security and the emphasis placed on safeguarding customer data. The network, along with the accompanying platform, enables customers to maintain control over the data flowing between their devices and the network. By ensuring that connections remain secure and isolated from potential threats, Sentinel acts as an inline firewall, offering enterprise-grade protection to EV solution providers. Here are some other ways in which Sentinel brings enhanced cybersecurity to the EV charging market.

Cybersecurity Features Built into Sentinel

  • Non-addressable IP Addresses
    One of the standout features of Sentinel is the provision of non-addressable IP addresses for devices. This means that customer devices cannot be discovered on the public internet, providing an additional layer of protection against potential attacks. As the saying goes, "You can't hack what you can't see." By rendering devices invisible to unauthorized access, Sentinel strengthens the overall security posture for EV charging station operators.

  • Two-Way Secure Communication with Direct Access
    Our Direct Access tool adds another layer of security and functionality to Sentinel. It facilitates a secure two-way communication structure through the private IP space. While EV devices typically establish their own web sockets for communication, issues can arise. However, by leveraging Direct Access, customers gain the ability to communicate with their devices remotely. Whether it's SSH-ing into the devices or pushing firmware updates, this feature empowers customers with peace of mind and efficient device management.

  • Protecting Against Local Anomalies
    While Sentinel's tools offer robust security against external threats, they also address local anomalies that may arise within the EV charging ecosystem. Sentinel has implemented a unique feature that alerts customers when non-approved devices connect to the local network. By leveraging the device's MAC address, Sentinel enables EV charging station operators to detect any potentially unauthorized or suspicious devices connected to their network. This functionality grants operators the ability to take immediate action, ensuring a secure charging environment.

  • Network Redundancy and Streamlined Operations
    Network redundancy and access are critical considerations for EV charging infrastructure. We recognize the importance of selecting the optimal network carrier for each site, particularly for remote areas in which not all carrier networks have coverage. Our innovative eSIM solution, Kajeet smartSIM, simplifies network access by eliminating the need for multiple SIM cards. With this streamlined approach, operators can test and choose the best network without physically manipulating the SIM card. This advancement holds significant promise for enhancing the operational efficiency of EV charging networks.

Insights and Analytics: Empowering Decision-Making

Kajeet's Sentinel platform not only prioritizes security but also provides EV charging station operators with powerful insights and analytics to drive informed decision-making. By harnessing the capabilities of the mobile private network and Direct Access, customers gain a comprehensive view of their devices' data usage patterns, destinations reached, and real-time actionable information.

With access to this wealth of data, operators can make data-driven decisions to optimize their charging infrastructure. By analyzing data usage patterns, they can identify trends, peak usage times, and adjust their operations accordingly to ensure efficient resource allocation. This knowledge allows operators to proactively manage data usage anomalies and implement strategies to prevent potential bottlenecks or capacity issues.

Sentinel also empowers operators by enabling them to set thresholds and receive alerts when certain conditions are met. This functionality provides a proactive approach to managing data usage. For example, operators can set thresholds for data usage that, if exceeded, trigger an alert. This allows them to take immediate action, such as investigating potential issues or adjusting charging schedules to prevent service disruptions.

Furthermore, Kajeet's commitment to customer feedback ensures that the platform continually evolves to meet the specific needs of the EV industry. By actively seeking input and insights from customers, Kajeet can identify areas for improvement and implement updates and enhancements accordingly. This iterative approach ensures that the platform remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving challenges and requirements of the EV charging ecosystem.

By leveraging insights and analytics provided by Kajeet's Sentinel platform, EV charging station operators gain a competitive edge in optimizing their operations, enhancing user experience, and making data-informed decisions that drive efficiency and customer satisfaction. The platform serves as a powerful tool to unlock valuable insights and transform raw data into actionable intelligence, ultimately leading to more effective resource management and improved charging services.

Conclusion

The Sentinel platform revolutionizes security, functionality, and decision-making within the EV space. By leveraging the private mobile network, non-addressable IP addresses, two-way secure communication, and comprehensive insights, customers gain a higher level of peace of mind, control, and operational efficiency. As the EV industry continues to grow, Kajeet's commitment to innovation ensures that Sentinel and our other tools evolve alongside the needs of our customers, providing a secure and dynamic foundation for the future of electric vehicles.

Want to learn more? Use this big blue button to reach out to us, and one of our EV cybersecurity and analytics experts will be in touch soon!