Tag: 3BL

The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (SMER) Research 1 Solar project, located on 16 acres approximately 4 miles southwest of Temecula, CA, provides clean, renewable energy to the City of Temecula and Lake Elsinore. The 3.7 MWdc project, powered by over 10,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules, has the potential to displace more than 4.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually—comparable to removing 971 cars from the road each year. The cities purchase the clean energy generated by the solar farm, reducing local utility power costs by approximately 15%.

The project features Chint Inverters, known for their high efficiency, reliability, and advanced grid support capabilities, ensuring optimal performance and energy yield. Additionally, it utilizes a GameChange Solar ground-mounted fixed-tilt racking system, designed for cost-effective, high-performance solar deployment. The system includes 28 rows of fixed-tilt racking, maximizing energy capture while providing a durable, low-maintenance solution that withstands extreme weather conditions and optimizes long-term energy output.

The site also serves as a research hub for San Diego State University’s (SDSU), Field Stations Program, supporting studies on solar radiation, solar energy efficiency, soil conditions, meteorological patterns, and habitat restoration. SDSU uses the reserve for hands-on research and field studies, contributing valuable data to the advancement of renewable energy and environmental conservation.

BioStar provided development, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, along with ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) and asset management. At peak construction, the project created approximately 30 jobs and serves as a model for future solar projects in California, contributing to the continued advancement and affordability of solar energy.

Learn more about BioStar and our work here.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

He’s a man known for playing extremely complicated, yet unforgettable characters. Like Kentucky’s most loveable career criminal in “Justified.” A renegade sheriff struggling to be good in the confederate south in “The Hateful Eight.” A singing, snake-oil salesman of a pastor in “The Righteous Gemstones.” And even a post-apocalyptic bounty hunter in the smash hit, “Fallout.” But for GoDaddy’s 2025 Super Bowl commercial – the company’s first in eight years – Walton Goggins embarked on his hardest role ever: small business owner.

GoDaddy got back in the Big Game because there’s no better place to showcase our biggest innovation since domains, GoDaddy Airo®. Our AI-powered experience helps people get their businesses online in minutes with the power of AI.

The Best Super Bowl 2025 Ads Go Big

Bringing AI to life through a relatable human story

We wanted to be a brand that talks about our AI in an accessible, human way. So, when it came to advertising GoDaddy Airo, we started by finding a human, universal truth that everyday small business owners would relate to on a deeper level with a little tension baked in. We found that there’s no perfect formula or set of instructions that guarantees success for new small business owners. The vast majority don’t have MBAs, unlimited funds, 36-hour days, or years of on-the-job training. We’re all faking it ‘til we make it. And you know what? That’s okay. That’s exactly why GoDaddy Airo exists. It’s for those who’d rather spend their time doing the stuff they know how to do, like designing and building their product or service – while GoDaddy Airo does the business stuff they don’t know how to do.

And that became the insight that gave us the strategic foundation the entire campaign could be built on. And from there, the idea was born.

Even if you don’t know how to take your idea and turn it into a thriving business, with GoDaddy Airo, it’s like you know what you’re doing.

“The tagline immediately landed with me,” said GoDaddy Chief Marketing Officer Fara Howard. “We’ve all had moments in our careers in which we felt ‘over our skis’ and didn’t know how to do the work we were asked to do. Small business owners have told me for years that they feel that way often, particularly when it comes to the digital side of running their business. This is where GoDaddy Airo comes in — making them look like experts with the help of AI — so they can take the steps they need to with more confidence than ever before.”

The perfect actor to embody our entrepreneurial spirit

Now we needed a Super Bowl-worthy way to bring this idea to life. And who better than a person who has spent decades convincing audiences he knows what he’s doing? We needed an actor. But not just any actor. We needed one who’s known for memorable characters and diverse roles. An actor who excels in both comedic and dramatic roles. We needed an (insert throat clear) “an Ac-TOR.”

Then, all of a sudden, the strangest thing happened.

We heard gallops, metaphorically speaking, in the distance. Getting louder, and more purposeful as they got closer. The world moved in slow motion as the person we’ve been looking for figuratively rode through GoDaddy’s front door perched upon a regal stallion.

Torn from the pages of GQ magazine, his envy-inducing chest beamed from his sheer, mesh, barely-buttoned, button-up shirt. He removed his sharp, suede Stetson. The burnt orange sun raked across his handsome, rugged face revealing his electric eyes and that iconic, beautiful set of pearly whites.

That man was the multi-talented, absolute gem-of-a-human-being, true national treasure, Mr. Walton Goggins.

I’m going to pause for a second to enjoy those sweet sounds from the choir of angels you’re hearing — because this was a match made in Super Bowl heaven.

Walton shares our passion for entrepreneurs

As it turns out, Walton is also genuinely passionate about small businesses and entrepreneurship. If that’s not seren-dang-dippity, I don’t know what is.

In conversations, we collaborated with Walton kicking around different business ideas, some of which he thought about over the years. And we all collectively loved the idea of launching a business with Walton’s name front and center. Thus, Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses was born, capturing his affinity for active lifestyles and fashion, specifically sunglasses. Plus, you can’t say Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses without smiling!

Next, we thought Goggle Glasses would be the perfect product idea to help turn into a legit, living, breathing online business. And we could use GoDaddy Airo to build it. It would be like the ultimate demonstration of what GoDaddy Airo can do.

From there, things pretty much got bonkers in the best way possible. Most of us blacked out periodically due to the unrelenting volume of unhinged absurdity. I guess that happens sometimes.

With the power of GoDaddy Airo’s AI, some human help, and of course Walton himself, the brand launched on social media with joyful, vibrant content like this…

Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses.It’s giving thanks.Let’s get dizzy.

Which got the media and internet buzzing…

Fallout Star Walton Goggins Debuts Line of Sunglasses That Are a Cross Between Goggles and Glasses (Exclusive)Walton Goggins Isn’t Kidding About His Eyewear Brand, ‘Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses’‘White Lotus’ Star Walton Goggins’ New Line of Retro Ski Goggle Sunglasses Boast Lenses Created with NASA

Big game sets stage for a new GoDaddy

With a wildly successful website and social media launch under our belt, we filmed an incredible series of ads in Mexico City with production company ProdCo and award-winning director, Ian Pons Jewell. Those spots feature all the ways GoDaddy Airo helped Walton’s business become successful.

“It was such a blast to be a part of. The creative was smart, funny, and true because I had absolutely no idea what I was doing as a small business owner,” Goggins said. “And I got the best of both worlds. GoDaddy Airo helped me launch my business and my story might help other aspiring entrepreneurs to do the same. Can’t beat that.”

As we geared up for the Big Game, we announced in January Walton would be the celebrity in our ad. The Big Game spot, gracing the world’s eyeballs during the fourth quarter two-minute warning ad break, directed people to a new “Goggified” GoDaddy.com site experience where customers were presented with a special, limited time Airo™ All Access offer.

GoDaddy.com

A year-long, multi-channel campaign kicked off during the week of the Super Bowl that included out-of-home, digital, radio and six new 30- and 15-second spots that featured deeper stories on how Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses used GoDaddy Airo to design a logo, create and publish the website, build order and shipping confirmation emails, and even create a social media content calendar.

“Starting out, who even knows you need something like a content calendar? Not me,” Goggins said. “But GoDaddy Airo is like magic and just makes it happen.”

It was a thrill to bring a product like GoDaddy Airo to the world on such a big stage. And we’re excited to continue making the hard-to-play role of small business owner just a little easier for Walton and millions of other aspiring entrepreneurs.

February 10, 2025 /3BL/ – On January 20th, the new U.S. administration ordered an immediate freeze on U.S. international aid. While it may not have been the intention, the announcement has resulted in confusion and may put lives at risk.

Since approximately 30% of Action Against Hunger’s global programs rely on U.S. government support, we are preparing for potential impacts. Uninterrupted funding is essential for us to deliver efficient, well-run programs and continuity of care for malnourished children, pregnant women, and families living in war zones, among others.

“We have extremely malnourished children who cannot have the treatment that they need. If the funding uncertainty continues, then many of these people will actually die,” said Dr. Charles E. Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger.

Any decrease in U.S. funding could cost lives, while taking a stand against global hunger has bipartisan support from most Americans across every region, income and education level, gender, race, and marital status. They may know that it is in America’s best interest to fund impactful and independent nonprofit hunger programs, helping to create a more secure and prosperous world.

Watch Action Against Hunger’s CEO Charles Owubah speaks on CNN’s One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga to discuss the foreign aid freeze here.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

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Photo by Toby Madden

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., February 10, 2025 /3BL/ – After acquiring key assets of the Better Buying Institute (BBI) earlier this month, Cascale has published the 2025 Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI) Report—the first Better Buying report to be issued by Cascale. Since 2022, the BBPI has used anonymous surveys that assess buyer-supplier relationships across 12 interconnected areas of partnership performance. Annual data from the BBPI report helps buyers assess and improve business relationships with suppliers.

“Integrating the Better Buying tools into our strategy isn’t just about adding another metric—it’s a catalyst for rethinking how we build supply chain relationships,” said Colin Browne, CEO at Cascale. “This year’s Better Buying Partnership Index report proves that when buyers and suppliers engage on equal footing with clear, actionable insights, we can dismantle outdated practices and work toward creating a framework for equitable and sustainable progress. We aim to drive systemic change that can empower every partner in the value chain to achieve lasting impact.”

Key highlights from the report include:

A 50% increase in participating brands, rising to 25 from the previous cycle.Notable improvements in 10 out of the 12 performance areas measured—including enhanced solicitation of supplier input on product and process innovation, improved business stability, and increased perception of buyers as “preferred partners” by suppliers. (Preferred partners are buyers that suppliers view as highly reliable, transparent, and committed to mutually beneficial, sustainable practices.)The global softgoods sector (including apparel, footwear, and home goods) achieved its highest-ever partnership score of 52 (on a scale from -100 to +100), a four-point improvement from the previous year.

The report also notes that buyers’ operational efficiency was the only area to show a decline (by 2.3%), suggesting that suppliers may be experiencing resource allocation issues, redundancies, and bottlenecks. Buyers who allocated sufficient time for planning and process management were more likely to have efficient operational systems, reflecting better organized and well-planned collaboration practices. Suppliers have called on buyers to review and improve their operational processes to eliminate inefficiencies.

“In today’s challenging climate, our industry must embrace true partnership and collective action,” said Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel and Cascale board director. “The latest BBPI report shows that when buyers and suppliers engage transparently and equally, innovation and more sustainable practices can follow naturally. At Cascale, we believe every value chain partner must be empowered and motivated to work together—because only through genuine collaboration can we drive the urgent changes needed for a resilient and responsible future.”

History shows that participating in the Better Buying Partnership Index can help shift the needle. Buyers that subscribed to the BBPI for at least two consecutive years showed continued improvement, with six out of nine companies reporting improved scores compared to the previous cycle. Participating companies are encouraged to share their BBPI scores with internal and external stakeholders – including executives, investors, regulators, benchmarkers, and verifiers—to demonstrate progress in responsible purchasing practices.

Cascale is currently accepting participants for this year’s BBPI rating cycle, which opens on October 1, 2025.

Inogen Alliance is hosting a webinar, 5 March, Understanding PFAS – Risks, Regulations, and Remedies – A Global Perspective presented by our global Water and Remediation Working Groups, with global experts representing six countries.

Register for the live webinar here, also available on-demand following this date!

Join global experts from Inogen Alliance as they discuss a wide range of topics related to per- and poly -fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Hosted by our global Water and Remediation Working Groups, our experts will provide a refresher on PFAS and summarize the global regulatory landscape and emerging policies, as well as how the regulated community are adapting to the evolving regulatory environment. In addition, our experts will discuss the latest in PFAS detection/monitoring and how it relates to human health risk assessments, as well as a case study on removal/destruction technologies. Following these discussions we will wrap up with live audience Q&A.

This webinar will cover: 
• PFAS 101 / common uses and sources 
• Regulatory landscape and emerging policies 
• Detection, monitoring and health risk assessment 
• Remediation and removal techniques

Speakers: 
• Annika Taylor, Peter J Ramsay & Associates 
• Thomas Obel, HPC AG Germany 
• Lucie Robin-Vigneron, HPC INTERNATIONAL, France 
• Jason Lagowski, Antea Group USA

Moderators: 
• Beatrice Bizzaro, HPC Italia and Water Working Group Leader 
• Heikki Kalle, DGE Danmark and Remediation Working Group Leader.

When: 5 March, 6am PST / 9am EST / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET / 7:30pm IST / 10pm SGT (if the live broadcast time doesn’t work for your schedule, register to watch on-demand!)

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

Medtronic is supporting the transition to renewable energy by sourcing electricity from a local wind farm just 30 minutes from our Parkmore site in Galway, helping us move toward a more sustainable future by meeting 50% of our electricity needs across our five Irish sites.

We recently signed our first Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Flogas Enterprise. This PPA is not only the first multi-buyer agreement of its kind in Ireland, but it also marks a significant milestone in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

A PPA is a long-term contract through which a company purchases renewable electricity directly from a renewable energy developer, typically at a predetermined rate. This arrangement allows the company to secure a stable source of sustainable energy, while the developer gains a reliable buyer for the power generated by their renewable energy project, such as a wind or solar farm.

Ours was completed with the energy management team at Medtronic. With this PPA, we saw an opportunity to bring renewable energy into more of our energy contracts by sourcing electricity from a local wind farm.

“From a business perspective, it’s increasingly important to secure contracts that prioritize sustainability. Working with partners who share that vision makes a real difference. Medtronic has consistently proven to be a great corporate citizen, championing sustainable practices and encouraging initiatives that benefit both the environment and the community,” said Richard Patten, an engineering manager at Medtronic.

“Seeing the wind farm up the road and then seeing our site being powered by its electricity is really impactful. And that’s just one story in our sustainability journey.”

This project is a key part of our progress toward achieving our broader goal of sourcing 50% of our energy from renewable and alternative sources, helping us reduce our environmental impact and strengthen our operations sustainability.

Read more about our commitment to reducing our environmental impact in the full FY24 Impact Report.

Originally published in FedEx’s 2024 Global Economic Impact Report

Direct and indirect contributions from FedEx business activities represent a portion of the positive impact that FedEx has around the world. The company also upholds its purpose to connect people and possibilities through the FedEx Cares global community engagement program. Every year, FedEx Cares promotes charitable giving, employee volunteer efforts, and in-kind shipping services that help support the communities the company serves. In FY24, FedEx contributed $55 million in total charitable contributions around the world.

Examples of FY 2024 charitable donations around the world included:

For more than 30 years, FedEx has helped Direct Relief distribute pharmaceuticals from its warehouse in Santa Barbara, California to a network of more than 15,000 community health centers and free and charitable clinics that provide access to healthcare for uninsured and underinsured people in communities across the U.S.FedEx continued to support regional Junior Achievement (JA) programs around the world and received a silver U.S. President’s Award from the organization for volunteering more than 5,000 hours of service during the 2022-2023 school year. The company’s support included sponsoring regional entrepreneurship competitions in all six JA regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and the U.S.FedEx in Canada sponsored Orbis Canada’s Plane Pull for Sight fundraising campaign, consisting of events in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver that raised more than $300,000. Orbis’s mission is to end avoidable blindness and create a world where everyone can access the eye care they need to thrive.In the UK, FedEx donated a new Incident Response Unit to the Salvation Army at Rochester Fire Station. It is the 23rd vehicle FedEx has donated to The Salvation Army across the world since 2006.FedEx locations in Brazil and India participated in uniform upcycling programs that transformed old FedEx uniforms into school bags and blankets for donation to children in underserved communities. In Brazil, the blankets were also donated to pets for adoption. FedEx also collaborated with local organizations in Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR to transform retired uniforms from employees into sustainable products including crossbody bags, fanny packs, and low-carbon alternative fuels.FedEx supported several programs around the world to advance the careers of women in STEM fields. Examples include a grant to the She Code Africa Academy Program to kickstart careers in tech for nearly 90 women aged 18-45 across 20 African countries; donating $35,000 to support education costs for 60 women enrolled in engineering and science courses at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and organizing a career development workshop at the FedEx Hyderabad office in India, focused on web application development, data analytics, AI, and communication skills for enhancing job readiness.FedEx in India continued to support the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s efforts to adopt sustainable modes of transportation by donating seven EVs to the NGO in Panvel, Delhi, and Narsingi. The company also helped the organization provide meals for 550,000 school children.In Indonesia, FedEx donated computers and software programs to students from underprivileged communities in Jakarta. And, in the Philippines, FedEx donated bicycle repair stations to support the government’s drive to promote cycling in Clark, Pampanga.

Examples of FY 2024 team volunteering across the globe included:

The FedEx Cares Purple Tote Campaign collected nearly 4,700 purple totes, often filled with food, school supplies, or basic necessities, for more than 50 non-profit organizations (NGOs) across APAC, MEISA, Canada, and Europe. More than 3,200 FedEx team members in nearly 30 countries participated in the campaign, selecting local NGOs to receive donations.In FY 2024, more than 2,000 FedEx team members around the world volunteered in efforts to clean beaches, plant trees, and protect their local environment. Teams planted trees in Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.; helped turn a former landfill in Delhi into an urban forest pocket and revitalized Mumbai’s Masina Healing Forest; planted trees along Singapore’s Siglap Linear Park; helped to reforest Khun Dan Prakarn Chon Dam in Thailand; and planted trees and installed birdhouses in Seoul, Korea. Since FY 2005, FedEx has also donated $20 million to conservation-related non-profits.In Malaysia, FedEx collaborated with Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) to grow vegetables in an urban vegetable garden for distribution to underprivileged communities. The four-month program involved more than 60 FedEx volunteers planting vegetable seedlings, maintaining the garden, harvesting, and delivering vegetables to people and care homes to improve food security.In Mainland China, FedEx continued its library program to cover 17 primary schools in underprivileged rural areas and setting up reading rooms or book corners for 10 schools. In addition, the program provided local children with a wider range of reading resources by second-hand book donations, as well as picture books and reading kits. More than 100 employees volunteered in the program.FedEx volunteers across Europe teamed with Rise Against Hunger to pack 3,560 boxes of food for Ukrainian refugees and people in need in Europe, and 32,400 meals for school food programs in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.FedEx Australia employees conducted a food drive to support Foodbank Australia in their fight against hunger. The FedEx team delivered 158 kilograms of essential products, including cereal, pasta, and tinned meals, contributing to 248 meals for people in need. FedEx Australia volunteers also cleaned up waterways across cities, retrieving 3,300 pieces of litter and collecting approximately 119 kilograms of rubbish to preserve Australia’s coastal habitats and protect marine ecosystems. Additionally, volunteers in Australia planted 3,200 native trees with local NGO and community members in Sydney and Perth in an effort to help protect the environment.In March 2024, 131 FedEx volunteers in the UAE, Bahrain, and India participated in #Let’sGoGreenWeek, collecting and properly disposing of approximately 559 kilograms of trash.During Ramadan, more than 100 team members in the UAE and Egypt packed and delivered more than 2,300 food packages for those in need.In Memphis, more than 150 team members volunteered at the sixth annual FedEx Cares/USO holiday packing event for U.S. military service members. The team assembled 13,326 holiday care packages that included candy, snacks, holiday socks, decks of playing cards, lip balm, and more. FedEx then delivered those packages to U.S. service members’ stationed in remote locations in the Pacific.

Examples of FY 2024 in-kind shipping included:

The FedEx Delivering for Good program leverages the company’s vast transportation network to aid in disaster relief and support other charitable causes or special shipments.In November 2023, FedEx transported three giant pandas — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their three-year-old cub Xiao Qi Ji — from Washington, D.C. to Chengdu, China. The pandas traveled in custom-built transport enclosures provided by FedEx and were accompanied by animal care experts.FedEx worked with Desafío Levantemos Chile to deliver 40 tons of donations in areas affected by fires, floods, and other emergencies. One of the most significant collaborations was the transportation of essential supplies for the reconstruction of the Rural Medical Station in Santa Juana, which was damaged in the forest fires that struck Chile in the summer of 2023.FedEx team members in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Argentina collaborated with Operation Warm to deliver more than 18,600 new coats and 8,700 pairs of shoes to children in need. Additionally, utilizing their FedEx in-kind shipping allocation, Operation Warm delivered another 200,000 new coats and shoes to help kids in need across the U.S. & Canada.With support from FedEx, GlobalMedic delivered more than 50 tons of aid across Canada as part of its Grassroots Revolution, a suite of programs that address chronic emergencies. The deliveries included food, medical supplies, and hygiene items for Hurricane Fiona victims in Atlantic Canada, support for domestic Emergency Food and Hygiene Hub programs, and fire skid units for British Columbia’s forest fire relief.In Europe, FedEx provided roughly 600 shipments for five charities, including the delivery of 40,000 booklets for F@MU Families at the Museum in Italy, who organizes National Family Day at the Museum, 800 disaster readiness kits for the Netherlands Red Cross, 1,110 boxes of food and campaign materials for Rise Against Hunger activities in Spain, France, and Greece, – and football kits to 13 NGOs in 14 locations around Europe for the UEFA Foundation for Children.

For more on how FedEx contributes to local communities, read the 2023 FedEx Cares Report.

Read more

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Key takeaways:

Automakers have to grapple with vehicle cybersecurity threats emerging from rapid technical advancements as well as decade-old legacy systems.The regulatory burden of cybersecurity on the automotive industry is constantly increasing worldwide.Automated cybersecurity testing that can seamlessly span complex hardware and software systems is essential.

Most road vehicles were largely mechanical machines with a few electronic systems until just a decade or two ago. But modern vehicles involve so many more computing and software systems that they’ve been called “software-defined vehicles” and “smartphones on wheels.”

In this article, learn why automotive cybersecurity has become critical, what regulations and standards are in play, and how automakers can effectively implement cybersecurity.

What is automotive cybersecurity?

Automotive cybersecurity involves the protection of all the information technology systems related to road vehicles from cyber threats. It includes the cybersecurity of onboard systems as well as external interfaces.

Onboard systems include sensors, electronic control units (ECUs), network chips, embedded systems, and their software.

External systems include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and cloud services.

Automotive cybersecurity is a key component of overall vehicle security along with physical security.

Why is automotive cybersecurity critical for modern vehicles?

Automotive cybersecurity has become critical because the computing, software, and connectivity components in vehicles are constantly increasing in number and complexity. Security issues in these components can lead to major problems like:

Compromised vehicle safety: Most vehicles today are drive-by-wire systems capable of cruise control and even near-autonomous driving. Any malicious actions against such systems can result in catastrophic collisions and fatalities to vehicle occupants, bystanders, and other road users.Regulatory compliance failures: Due to the safety-critical nature of vehicles, countries around the world mandate several vehicle safety regulations. Breaching them can result in heavy financial and legal penalties for automakers.Damaged reputations: Unsafe vehicles can lead to damaged reputations, loss of market share, and possibly even permanent loss of business for automakers.

What are the common cybersecurity threats faced by connected vehicles?

Some common automotive cyber threats include:

Remote hijacking: Attackers can take control over critical vehicle functions like steering, brakes, and acceleration by compromising the vehicle’s internal systems through various connectivity interfaces. Typically, this involves unauthorized access to ECUs of vehicles.Ransomware attacks: Cybercriminals may implement ransomware to lock the vehicle’s systems until a ransom is paid.Denial-of-service attacks: Attackers may disrupt the functioning of vehicular systems, rendering them inoperable or causing them to malfunction.Data theft: This includes unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the vehicle, like payment information and personal data. Information security theft and data breaches are probably the most common types of automotive cyberattacks.Supply chain attacks: Malicious firmware or software updates can introduce vulnerabilities when the code is deployed to vehicles, compromising their security long after manufacturing.Compromised physical security: Hardware attacks against locking mechanisms like key fobs or onboard diagnostics (OBD II) ports can allow physical access to vehicles and open up possibilities of theft, sabotage, or malware injection.Attacks on artificial intelligence (AI) models: Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems rely on AI models for image understanding, sensor understanding, and vehicle control. Carefully crafted malicious inputs to these models can give anomalous outputs that result in collisions and fatalities.Attacks on electric vehicle (EV) subsystems: EVs have dangerously high voltages and currents around their battery management systems. Any compromises with those ECUs can result in fires, explosions, and similar catastrophes.

What are some important regulations related to automotive cybersecurity?

Among the most important regulations in recent times are the R155 and R156 mandated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29).

These regulations apply to all of Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. Despite that, most automakers around the world are conforming to them, making them de facto global regulations.

Although they don’t place direct obligations on component suppliers, they do so indirectly through requirements on the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of vehicles.

These regulations are driving the adoption of automotive standards specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). One such critical standard is the ISO/SAE 21434road vehiclescybersecurity engineering standards.

The two regulations are summarized below.

R155 regulation

R155 mandates a cybersecurity management system (CSMS) and several vehicle-type-specific cybersecurity technical requirements for automakers.

The CSMS establishes a system for cybersecurity governance, risk management, and risk assessments throughout the development, production, and maintenance phases of vehicles. Automakers must get their processes audited annually.

In addition, there are cybersecurity requirements for each vehicle type.

R156 regulation

R156 requires secure and safe software update processes to be established. Automakers must show evidence that their processes don’t compromise vehicle safety or security.

How do automotive cybersecurity standards impact vehicle development?

Standards like the ISO/SAE 21434 specify a cybersecurity risk management process that applies to the entire duration of a vehicle, including all its components and interfaces.

This ISO 21434 involves:

threat analysis and risk assessments (TARAs) to identify and assess cyber risks to their vehiclesverification and validation testing to ensure that their security mitigations are functioning as intendedsecurity of all communication interfacesdocumentation of all cybersecurity information like the results of TARAs, verification tests, and incident responsescontinuous monitoring of threats and regular updates

How can automotive cybersecurity be integrated into the vehicle development lifecycle?

Cybersecurity is integrated into the development lifecycle through the following steps:

Establish cybersecurity governance: Set up a cybersecurity management system and cybersecurity framework.Conduct TARAs: Identify threats and risks during the design phase and ensure suitable mitigations.Integrate cybersecurity into the V-model: During the design phase, integrate measures to prevent attacks. During the verification and validation phases, confirm those measures through testing and ensure they remain effective throughout the product lifecycle.Conduct cybersecurity testing of updates: Ensure that over-the-air (OTA) updates are safe and secure.Test continuously: Implement regression and functional testing to ensure security against new threats as they emerge.Automate all tests: Automate all this testing through platforms that seamlessly integrate with the multitude of hardware and software interfaces.Incorporate threat intelligence: Integrate with real-time threat and vulnerability alert services.Mitigate supply chain risks: Ensure that all vendors and suppliers comply with cybersecurity standards as breaches can propagate through the supply chain.Document all steps: Maintain comprehensive documentation of all design decisions, test results, and compliance measures.

What are some commonly used automotive cybersecurity testing techniques?

The common testing techniques used are:

Vulnerability testing: It identifies weaknesses in the vehicle’s ECUs, sensors, network chips, and embedded software that could be exploited by malicious actors.Penetration testing: Ethical hackers attempt to gain unauthorized access through social engineering and by exploiting vulnerabilities. This simulates real-world attacks by malicious actors.Fuzz testing: Fuzz testing uses deliberately malformed inputs to various subsystems to discover unexpected dangerous behaviors and observe the vehicle’s resilience against them. The inputs are sent via communication packets or other interfaces to the hardware and software used in the vehicle. It can discover flaws that could lead to security breaches.Regression testing: This ensures that existing security measures remain effective for the vehicle’s lifetime after every change or update.

How are automotive cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified and mitigated during testing?

The attack chains that expose vulnerabilities can vary widely in complexity and depth.

Some vulnerabilities may be easily discoverable by studying the circuits, software code, datasheets, or manuals and observing their behaviors. Such surface-level vulnerabilities can be identified and mitigated through TARAs and vulnerability testing.

However, other serious vulnerabilities may lie much deeper than that. They may involve complex attack chains that span multiple hardware and software systems. They may emerge from seemingly innocent inconspicuous backend interactions between systems. Only experienced cybersecurity specialists can identify them using techniques like penetration and fuzz testing.

All vulnerabilities are mitigated as described below.

Designing mitigations: Automakers design mitigations to address vulnerabilities through secure software implementations, access controls, and encryption protocols.Verification and validation testing: After implementing security countermeasures for detected vulnerabilities, rigorous testing is conducted to validate their effectiveness. Verification and validation testing (V&V) ensures that the designed mitigations are functioning correctly.Automated regression tests: Automated regression tests can be run whenever there is a software update or new vulnerabilities are discovered. This ensures that all existing mitigations remain effective over time.Periodic audits: Regular audits are conducted to ensure that the security measures remain adequate and effective against emerging threats. Automakers must maintain a cycle of continuous improvement that incorporates lessons learned from both testing and real-world incidents

What are some cybersecurity best practices for protecting in-vehicle and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks?

In-vehicle networks — like the controller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN), and automotive Ethernet — and outfacing networks like V2X are often the vectors of choice for many cyberattacks. Some best practices from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other agencies are outlined below:

Design for security: Security should be integrated into the vehicle right from the design phase. All potential attack surfaces must be identified and mitigated early.Defense in depth: Implement strict access controls and encryption. Critical functions like braking and steering must not be accessible through less secure components like infotainment systems.Protocol fuzz testing: Conduct protocol fuzz testing to identify vulnerabilities at lower communication levels. This can uncover weaknesses in embedded chipsets and communication protocols.Penetration testing: All protocols tend to have some undefined behaviors in their specifications. A best practice then is to have penetration testing done by experienced red teams proficient in the intricacies of in-vehicle network protocol specifications.Threat intelligence: The testing should be integrated with threat intelligence services to anticipate and respond to emerging cyber threats.

How do over-the-air (OTA) software updates affect automotive cybersecurity?

Some potential security problems due to OTA updates include:

Insecure code in the updates: Vulnerabilities may creep in inadvertently due to feature updates that focus on functionality while forgetting security aspects. These typically result in reduced security, but catastrophic outcomes are rare.Malicious updates from rogue sources: In such attacks, the vehicle’s subsystems receive malicious updates that open up new vulnerabilities or cause catastrophic failures. This is achieved either by manipulating the update sources on the vehicle or taking over the manufacturer’s update servers.Faulty update steps: Faulty update steps may result in reduced security or even catastrophic outcomes.

To mitigate such issues, automakers must implement the techniques outlined below:

Digital signatures: The updates must be digitally signed using cryptography keys that are already known to the vehicle.Dual image fallback: Every onboard system must support dual image architecture and partitions.Automated testing of updates: Every update must undergo functional, regression, and fuzz cybersecurity tests. For major updates, penetration testing is also recommended.

What are the challenges of automotive cybersecurity testing?

Some key challenges are outlined below:

Expanding attack surface: The number of complex hardware and software systems keeps increasing as vehicles become more interconnected. The number of attack vectors and attack paths is also constantly increasing.Evolving threat landscape: Rapid technical advancements like automotive radars and AI keep adding new vulnerabilities and potential threats.Supply chain vulnerabilities: The potential for vulnerabilities in the supply chain also increases. Cybercriminals can exploit weaknesses in third-party vendors’ systems and processes.Long lifetimes: A typical vehicle’s lifetime is a decade or more. Automotive cybersecurity must not only keep up with new threats but also ensure that the legacy parts don’t become insecure.Regulatory compliance: Automakers must adhere to stringent safety and security regulations.Organizational challenges: Continuous testing requires skilled personnel and significant financial resources. Many automakers struggle to maintain the necessary level of cybersecurity expertise within their teams for a vehicle’s lifetime.

How does the Keysight SA8710A platform address automotive cybersecurity challenges?

The Keysight SA8710A is a comprehensive platform to address the above automotive cybersecurity challenges. Its key features are outlined below.

Modularity

The platform’s hardware and software modularity enables plugin support for multiple communications including cellular (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G), cellular V2X, CAN bus, automotive Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Automakers can manage both expanding attack surfaces and emerging threat landscapes.

Automated cybersecurity testing

The most striking feature is its ability to automate entire attack sequences, fuzz testing, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments using the built-in open test automation platform (OpenTAP) engine, test sequencer, and plugins.

Built-in regulatory compliance

The platform enables automakers to comply with R155 regulations.

Threat intelligence

The platform includes an application and threat intelligence subscription.

Documentation

The SA8710A can generate all the required documentation required by regulations like R155 during audits. This includes test plans and results that are integral to an OEM’s CSMS.

What does the SA8710A automotive cybersecurity platform consist of?

The SA8710A consists of the following software components:

PathWave test automation platformOpenTAP enginePenetration testing softwareAttack modules for various communication protocolsPlugins for automated test stepsPlugins for connecting to instruments and devices under testFuzzer plugins like the CycurFUZZ

The hardware components include:

Hardware devices for automotive in-vehicle testingUXM 5G test platform for C-V2X

Get comprehensive automotive cybersecurity testing from Keysight

Keysight’s automotive networking and cybersecurity solutions enable comprehensive security testing of all vehicle subsystems at all levels.

Our team of highly experienced cybersecurity professionals also provide expert services for UN R155 and UN R156 vehicle type approvals. With in-depth expertise in these regulations and state-of-the-art technologies for cybersecurity testing, they ensure that your compliance is in the best hands.

Contact us for insights and recommendations on keeping on top of your automotive security challenges.

LONDON, February 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Zeigo by Schneider Electric has partnered with green finance marketplace Zero Circle to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reduce their carbon footprint. The collaboration integrates Zero Circle’s financing solutions into the Zeigo platform, making it easier for businesses to measure, manage, and fund their sustainability efforts.

How the Partnership Supports SMEs

The partnership provides businesses with practical tools to reduce emissions and secure financing for sustainability projects. Key benefits include:

⁠Clear Decarbonization Strategies – By combining Zeigo’s data analytics with Zero Circle’s financing options, businesses can track emissions, set measurable reduction targets, and fund credible green initiatives.Step-by-Step Emission Reduction Plans – Zeigo offers data insights, reporting tools, and access to verified renewable energy and green technology suppliers, helping businesses take meaningful action.⁠Simplified Green Financing – Companies can apply for loans from more than 2,000 lenders through Zero Circle’s streamlined, sustainability-focused financing marketplace.⁠Cost Savings and Competitive Advantage – Businesses can lower costs by cutting energy use, reducing waste, and improving efficiency. These steps not only drive sustainability but also help meet growing corporate requirements for environmentally responsible suppliers.⁠Ongoing Compliance Monitoring – Zero Circle provides post-funding support to ensure projects align with established green financing standards.

“Zero Circle’s finance marketplace is a valuable component for Zeigo in accelerating SME’s decarbonization goals,” stated Steve Wilhite, President of Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business. “By providing access to favorable financing options, we can deliver sustainable cost-saving measures with benefits throughout the value chain.

“Zeigo is a powerful tool to help companies take action to reduce their effect on the environment,” said Zero Circle CEO, Hemanth Setty. “By working together and leveraging our collective strengths, we hope to mobilize companies to capitalize on the financial and societal benefits of sustainable practices.”

About Zeigo’s Sustainability Ecosystem 
Zeigo by Schneider Electric is an innovative sustainability software ecosystem designed to streamline and expedite climate action. Drawing upon Schneider Electric’s extensive expertise in sustainability and a track record of successfully executing decarbonization strategies, Zeigo transforms ambitious goals into actionable plans. With a commitment to simplifying and accelerating carbon reduction, Zeigo empowers organizations at any stage of their decarbonization journey to achieve their environmental goals through effective and efficient software solutions.

About Zero Circle 
Zero Circle is a finance marketplace that simplifies access to green capital for businesses. Its AI-powered platform streamlines sustainability assessments and reporting and automates key performance indicators (KPIs) to incentivize green financing. The company helps its customers finance and build sustainable practices by tracking, managing and reporting sustainability and financial performance with lenders, partners and customers.

It’s official – 2024 was the hottest year on record. With global temperatures at 1.28 degrees Celsius above NASA’s 20th-century baseline (1951-1980) – topping the recording set in 2023 – the need to invest in resource conversation is more critical than ever.

As a leading science and technology company, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is continuing its accelerated emissions reduction. The company’s Group-wide and Life Science Sustainability Strategy highlights this goal and is making significant progress toward achieving a 50% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2020.

The EDISON program serves as one of the four key levers to achieve this goal by providing funding to sites across the globe to implement high-impact energy and water reduction projects. After a record year of progress in 2023, the program delivered another exceptional year in 2024, completing 42 projects globally. As a result, the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the United States and Canada, is projected to avoid more than 24,000 MWh (megawatt hours) of energy use, conserve over 124,000 cubic meters of water, and prevent nearly 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions through an investment of €9.3 million.

2024 EDISON highlights:

Cooling Tower Conservation in Carlsbad, California, USA

A dual softener system was installed at the cooling towers in the company’s Carlsbad, California, USA facility to provide a continuous source of water for the cooling towers. This €40,000 investment reduces water demand for both the makeup to the cooling towers and the discharge or blowdown to sanitary sewer.

“The Carlsbad Viral Vector Manufacturing site successfully completed an EDISON project to enhance water conservation in its condenser water system,” said Michael Naughton, Head of EHS Carlsbad. “By using a water softener to increase cooling tower cycles from 3 to 10, the site reduced system blowdown from an average of 9,000 gallons per day in October 2023 to just 90 gallons per day in October 2024—achieving a 96% water retention rate. This milestone underscores our commitment to water sustainability and advancing corporate sustainability goals.”

Lab Variable Air Volume (VAV) System in Miamisburg, Ohio, USA

One of the standout EDISON projects in 2024 focused on optimizing energy efficiency in Miamisburg, Ohio, USA with seven chemical production labs, four constant-volume air handlers, and 41 fume hoods. Through a €488,000 investment, this lab Variable Air Volume (VAV) control system interfaces all seven lab spaces, ensuring safe airflow while adjusting air handlers during low-demand periods to create a variable air volume system.

“The project included installing new airflow sensors, automatic sash closures, and variable frequency drive (VFD) controls to create a variable air volume system,” said John Shay, Manager, Engineering & Maintenance. “With these upgrades, the facility is expected to save 808 MWh of electricity and 35,000 Therms of natural gas annually.”

Heat Pump Installation in Irvine, United Kingdom

A heat pump was installed at the company’s Irvine, United Kingdom site to help reduce the site’s natural gas usage. In alignment with the company’s decarbonization strategy, the €460,000 investment is expected to save 1,900 MWh of energy each year by transitioning to electric heat sources.

“The Irvine site received EDISON funding in 2024 to install a heat pump, allowing two low-temperature hot water boilers to be used only as backups,” said Anthony McLaren, Senior Process Engineer. “This project is expected to reduce Natural Gas consumption by 1,900 MWh annually, avoiding 360 tons of CO₂ emissions, as the site’s electricity comes from 100% renewable sources. This initiative is a key step in reducing our carbon footprint as we work toward Net Zero.”

Driving Progress into 2025

For 2025, EDISON has put forth its largest investment yet, totaling €11.7 million to fund another 50 projects. This will cover 30 different locations globally. Projections indicate that these projects will avoid an additional 5,300 tons of CO2 emissions, deliver more than 30,500 MWh of energy savings, and save 37,000 cubic meters of water.

Learn more about the sustainability efforts of MilliporeSigma by visiting its sustainability and social business innovation webpage.