Method and system for multiple scope authentication of vehicle components

A system for authentication of a first component and a component class of a second component for use in a vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle obtaining a first prospective component and obtaining a second prospective component
• a computing unit obtaining from a first certification authority a first certification that a first authentic component having a first cryptographic key unique to a first prospective component
• is associated with a second cryptographic key corresponding to the first cryptographic key and obtaining from a second certification authority a second certification that a second authentic component which is a member of the component class, the second authentic component having a third cryptographic key unique to the component class of a second prospective component, is associated with a fourth cryptographic key corresponding to the third cryptographic key;
• a cryptographic unit utilizing the second cryptographic key in cryptographic communication with the first prospective component and utilizing the fourth cryptographic key in cryptographic communication with the second prospective component;
• and
• the computing unit determining whether the first prospective component is the first authentic component based on whether the second cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication and determining whether the second prospective component is the second authentic component based on whether the fourth cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication.