Digital key nears automotive limelight with first CCC certification

Digital key—which enables smartphones, key fobs and other mobile devices to securely communicate, store, authenticate and share digital keys with vehicles—is one step closer to commercial realization with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) certification of a design solution from NXP Semiconductors. Digital key expands the convenience of car access by providing secure access and enabling new features like key sharing, multi-car access, and configurable driving rights.

NXP is the first digital car key solution provider to receive verification from the CCC Digital Key Certification program launched in December 2023. To acquire the CCC certification, NXP partnered with automotive security evaluation expert Keysight Technologies and device security research lab Riscure Security Solutions.

Figure 1 Digital keys enable drivers to access their cars seamlessly and securely while allowing them to control who can access their cars, from family members to valet drivers. Source: Riscure Security Solutions

NXP’s digital car key solution is built around an NFC controller and an embedded secure element in a single chip serving both mobile and car. The NFC technology triggers car access and driver authorization even if a phone’s battery is low; secure element facilitates the unlocking and starting of a car with an NFC-enabled smartphone, key fob, or an NFC smart card holding a digital key.

The combination of NFC and secure element also enables the secure sharing of vehicle access with other mobile devices. NXP’s complete digital key system solution also employs ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) wireless technologies for precise and secure localization. Collectively, these technologies facilitate the digitalization of car access, allowing families and friends to share their car keys via smart devices, fleet and car sharing companies to provide keys over the cloud, and online orders to be delivered to car.

Figure 2 The block diagram outlines the major building blocks of digital key design. Source: NXP

Keysight and Riscure Security have worked closely with NXP to evaluate and certify this digital key design solution and conduct the first CCC Digital Key Applet (DKA) certification. The CCC DKA program reviews the implementation of public key protocols, hardware-based key storage, and wireless transmission standards to securely authorize user access in the proximity of the key with the vehicle.

In other words, it provides essential security assurance and robustness against evolving threat landscapes without burdening back-end services. That’s a pivotal step in spearheading digital key system’s development and market adoption. The next step is inevitably a car the showcases digital keys complying with the CCC Digital Key specification.

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