User interface for responding to wireless attacks
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsYaron SELLA, Kevin W. HOLCOMB, Subhasri DHESIKAN, Raghuram S. SUDHAAKAR
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Many modern devices and machines (e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) devices and connected vehicles (CV)) include wireless interfaces that permit external devices to communicate with the devices and machines. These wireless interfaces can be attacked by malicious actors who can affect the operation of the devices or machines. Embodiments herein describe a user controlled actuator (e.g., a knob, set of buttons, switches, etc.) for responding to a wireless attack. Using the actuator, the user can set a response level depending on the threat. Each threat level can elicit a predefined action or set of actions from a control system in the device or machine.
Claims20
A connected system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to output a threat level selected from a plurality of threat levels, each of the plurality of threat levels representing a different likelihood of a wireless attack on the connected system;
- a control system comprising:
- a plurality of computing units each configured to control a respective subsystem in the connected system;
- a boot controller communicatively coupled to the actuator to receive the outputted threat level, wherein the boot controller is configured to:
- select a predefined action corresponding to the outputted threat level, wherein the predefined action comprises rebooting at least one computing unit of the plurality of computing units;
- and
- transmit an instruction to reboot the at least one computing unit, wherein the at least one computing unit comprises a wireless interface permitting the connected system to communicate with at least one of an external device and a network.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an actuator configured to output a threat level selected from a plurality of threat levels;
- a control system comprising:
- a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) each configured to control a respective subsystem in the vehicle;
- a boot controller communicatively coupled to the actuator to receive the outputted threat level, wherein the boot controller is configured to:
- select a predefined action corresponding to the outputted threat level, wherein the predefined action comprises rebooting at least one ECU of the plurality of ECUs;
- and
- transmit an instruction to reboot the at least one ECU, wherein the at least one ECU comprises a wireless interface permitting the vehicle to communicate with at least one of an external device and a network.
A method, comprising:
- generating, via a movement of an actuator, a signal indicating a selection of one of a plurality of threat levels of a wireless attack to a connected system;
- selecting a predefined action corresponding to the selected threat level, wherein the predefined action comprises rebooting at least one computing unit of a plurality of computing units;
- and
- transmitting an instruction to reboot the at least one computing unit, wherein the at least one computing unit comprises a wireless interface permitting the connected system to communicate with at least one of an external device and network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.