EVCS Under Siege: The Man-in-the-Middle Threat

Abstract

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) are now a core part of urban infrastructure-a catalyst for sustainable transportation systems. In contrast, wireless connectivity exposed them to a variety of cybersecurity threats, of which the Man-in-the-Middle is a prominent threat. The key thrust of this research paper was the experimentation setup to highlight the vulnerabilities of EVCS against such attacks. We specified a comprehensive model of an EVCS, that encompassed a charging interface, power management systems, and communication protocols. We simulated a Rogue Access Point (Rogue AP) as an entry point to attack the EVCS network. It presented the attack model for how an attacker could catch and manipulate data between the charging station and users. We assessed the AI-driven methodology for man-in-the-middle attacks utilising machine learning techniques, aiming to compromise electric vehicle charging stations. This was also emphasised by the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the corresponding necessity for security measures. It will discuss the potential mitigation strategies for enhancing security in EVCS to counter MITM attacks such as robust encryption protocols, anomaly detection systems, and also user education programs. By discussing these results, this research shall contribute toward developing more resilient EVCS infrastructures to ensure safe, reliable, and versatile electric vehicle charging as urban areas up their embrace of electric vehicles.