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From aviation to electric buses
Luz Garcia is born in Colombia where she pursued her studies in Electrical Engineering. At the age of 23, she moved to Italy to complete her masters, after which she completed a PhD in Computer Science. Over the next decade, Luz gained extensive experience in various fields, including aerospace, electronic devices, and the automotive industry, amassing over 14 years of expertise before joining Ebusco.
Her career began in aerospace, where she developed a keen focus on safety and security. “When I started working in the aerospace industry, the importance of safety and security quickly became apparent. Whether it’s an airplane or a bus, ensuring that everything works perfectly and safely is crucial. For me, passenger safety is the most important,” she recalls.
In December 2022, Luz moved to the Netherlands to work for a company in the automotive industry. Despite the unfortunate closure of the company, Luz quickly found a new home at Ebusco with her expertise. Now, after more than a year at Ebusco, Luz combines her technical skills and experience to enhance the functional safety and cybersecurity of electric buses.
The importance of functional safety
Functional safety in electric buses means ensuring that all electronic systems operate correctly under all circumstances. Luz explains: “Functional safety is about preventing and mitigating risks caused by system failures. For electric buses, this means ensuring that all systems, from battery management to braking, work reliably to prevent accidents or breakdowns.”
At Ebusco, functional safety is achieved through rigorous testing and validation processes. “We analyse all possible scenarios that could occur with our buses, such as issues with the brakes, climate control, and high-voltage systems, to identify potential risks and develop solutions,” says Luz.
Cybersecurity: protection against external threats
As electric buses are increasingly equipped with technologies that enable them to communicate with other systems and networks, the importance of cybersecurity continues to grow. Luz emphasises: “Cybersecurity is crucial because it protects the bus systems from malicious attacks. These attacks can disrupt operations, compromise safety, or lead to data breaches.”
Ebusco’s buses collect data, such as battery capacity, which is sent to the cloud. “We ensure that information is transmitted to the cloud, but not from the cloud to the bus. This protects against potential cyber threats,” Luz explains.
The intersection of functional safety and cybersecurity
The link between functional safety and cybersecurity is profound, as a cyberattack can lead to functional safety issues. “If a hacker gains control over the braking system, it could cause fatal failures. Therefore, it is essential to integrate functional safety with cybersecurity,” she notes.
At Ebusco, a layered defense strategy is applied. “We combine functional safety mechanisms with robust cybersecurity practices. This ensures that, even if one layer is breached, other layers still protect the system,” Luz explains.
Collaborative efforts and continuous improvement
“One of my key responsibilities involves overseeing our collaboration with suppliers to enhance security. We work closely with them to identify solutions that meet our needs and improve the safety of our buses. Additionally, we have established agreements that ensure prompt support from our suppliers to address any vulnerabilities that may arise.” Next to this, Luz’s role at Ebusco involves extensive collaboration with various departments internally. “I work closely together with the systems team, software team, test team, and aftersales. It’s about connecting all the dots and ensuring everyone is on the same page,” she explains .
An example of this collaboration is the FRACAS (Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System) board. “When a problem arises with a customer, aftersales creates a ticket in the FRACAS system,” Luz describes. “Depending on the severity of the issue, the FRACAS Board – a team of colleagues from various disciplines – decides which action(s) need to be taken,” Luz describes.
Overcoming challenges and building a safe future
The journey to ensuring the safety and security of electric buses is challenging. “We continue to build our processes and documentation. This is essential for compliance with regulations and meeting the expectations of authorities and customers,” says Luz.
One of Luz’s proudest achievements is obtaining the ‘Cyber Security Management System’ certification for Ebusco. “Achieving the certification is a result of the hard work of my colleagues and myself,” she reflects.
The future of cybersecurity in electric buses
Looking to the future, Luz sees both challenges and opportunities in the field of cybersecurity for electric buses. “The industry is growing rapidly and customer demands are becoming increasingly complex. It is crucial to stay up-to-date with new regulations and combat cyber threats,” she notes.
Luz also highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness. “To increase awareness among our colleagues, we publish monthly e-learnings and provide information on our intranet. It is essential that everyone understands the importance of cybersecurity measures, both for the safety of our buses and the rest of the data in our company,” she states.
In summary, integrating functional safety and cybersecurity is essential for the safe and reliable operation of electric buses. Luz Garcia’s expertise and dedication to this subject underscores the importance of protecting both the systems and the people who rely on them. Through continuous improvement and collaboration, Ebusco is paving the way for a secure future in electric transport.
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