Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) has been selected as a joint research and development partner for the “Development of Core IP Source Technologies for Automotive Semiconductors to Overcome Harsh Environments in Response to SDVs” project, led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea, specifically for the “Development of Core IP Source Technologies for Next-Generation Automotive Security Semiconductors” task. Kookmin University plans to develop intrusion detection, quantum-resistant cryptography, and random number generator verification technologies to strengthen the cybersecurity of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).

Led by Ranix Co., Ltd., a company specializing in security and wireless communication semiconductors, this project will be carried out jointly by a consortium comprising Kookmin University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ajou University, the Korea Automotive Research Institute, and Hyundai Mobis, with Hyundai Motor Company participating as the end-user. The project will run for a total of 4 years and 6 months, from July 2026 to December 2030, with a total budget of 10 billion won. Of this amount, Kookmin University will receive approximately 1.7 billion won in funding to conduct research and development.

As the automotive industry has recently shifted toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), the importance of in-vehicle software and networks has grown. Consequently, the importance of security technologies to counter cyber threats—such as vehicle hacking and data tampering—is increasing, and global cybersecurity regulations, such as UNECE R155 and ISO/SAE 21434, are becoming mandatory.

This project aims to secure core IP source technologies for integrating next-generation vehicle security technologies—including post-quantum cryptography (PQC), EVITA Full-grade HSM, physical unclonable function (PUF) technology, true random number generators (TRNG), and multi-layered intrusion detection systems (IDS)—into a single security semiconductor.

In this project, Kookmin University is responsible for: ▲ developing multi-layered IDS IP that vertically integrates and analyzes security events within the chip (In-SoC) and the in-vehicle network (In-Vehicle), followed by real-vehicle PoC verification; ▲ optimizing and verifying the hardware implementation of ML-KEM and ML-DSA, which are NIST-standard quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms; and ▲ developing entropy evaluation and verification technologies and tools for TRNGs.

In particular, the vertically integrated, multi-layer IDS—which analyzes In-SoC and In-Vehicle security information together—represents a first-of-its-kind approach both domestically and internationally. It moves beyond conventional methods that analyzed chips and vehicle networks separately by linking security information generated at different layers to enable detection. Through this, the research team plans to develop security technology capable of more comprehensively detecting and analyzing cyber threats within vehicles.

At Kookmin University, Professor Jeon Sanghoon of the Department of Automotive IT Convergence will serve as the project leader. Professor Yeom Yong-jin of the Department of Information Security and Cryptography will be responsible for TRNG evaluation and verification technology, while Professor Kim Dong-chan will handle PQC implementation optimization and verification technology, thereby consolidating the university’s research capabilities in the fields of automotive cybersecurity and cryptography.

Professor Jeon Sanghoon of the Department of Automotive IT Convergence at Kookmin University stated, “This project is a result of national recognition of Kookmin University’s interdisciplinary research capabilities, which span vehicle network security, chip-level security, and cryptographic theory.” He added, “By 2030, we aim to secure a multi-layered IDS verified in real-vehicle environments, along with implementation and verification technologies for quantum-resistant cryptography, thereby contributing to enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in future mobility security technologies.”

△ Photo: Panoramic view of Kookmin University