Automotive

Protecting automotive software, algorithms, and AI

Modern vehicles are defined by software. It defines how vehicles are built and how they perform; from advanced driver assistance systems and embedded AI to digital twins and connected platforms. Behind the scenes, development and maintenance rely on simulation, tuning, and diagnostic tools to keep innovation moving. At the heart of it all are proprietary code, algorithms, and models. These are critical assets that drive differentiation in today’s automotive industry.

Automotive companies deliver software across vehicles, embedded systems, engineering tools, and partner ecosystems. Therefore, protecting intellectual property and controlling usage becomes critical.

PACE provides a complete platform for securing automotive software and monetizing advanced technology. With iLok Licensing, Fusion, Fusion AI, and White-Box Works, automotive innovators can protect their IP, deploy software securely across distributed environments, and maintain full control over how their technology is used.

Challenges in Automotive Software Deployment

As vehicles become software-defined and always connected, automotive security challenges are accelerating. Exploits of vehicle communication systems, including CAN bus vulnerabilities, demonstrate that legacy approaches based on obscurity and isolated architectures are no longer sufficient. At the same time, security must operate without compromising the real-time performance and safety-critical nature of automotive systems.

Automotive software developers face unique challenges:

Protecting proprietary algorithms used in simulation, control systems, and vehicle intelligence
Preventing reverse engineering of embedded software and AI models
Securing intellectual property shared with OEMs, suppliers, and engineering partners
Monetizing engineering tools and vehicle software through flexible licensing models
Deploying AI and digital twin technology to edge devices without exposing sensitive IP

As vehicles evolve into distributed computing platforms, software protection and licensing become essential to sustaining innovation and protecting competitive advantage.

PACE Solutions for Automotive

iLok Licensing

Flexible licensing and entitlement management for automotive software.
iLok Licensing provides a secure platform to manage how software is distributed, activated, and used. It enables developers to control access to applications, tools, and models while supporting a wide range of licensing models including perpetual, subscription, and trial licenses.
With iLok, automotive software developers can:
Deliver secure licensing for engineering tools and simulation software
Manage entitlements across teams, suppliers, and partners
Control deployment across desktops, servers, embedded systems, and cloud environments
Learn more about iLok Licensing
iLok Licensing in isometric form
Fusion - a hacker is frustrated as he can't get to software assets

Fusion

Protect automotive software from tampering and reverse engineering.
Fusion uses proprietary technology fused directly into compiled binaries to prevent attackers from analyzing or modifying software. It provides powerful obfuscation and anti-tamper protection for critical applications and embedded code. 
For automotive companies, Fusion helps protect:
Vehicle software modules
Simulation and engineering tools
High-value algorithms deployed to the field
Learn more about Fusion

White-Box Works

Protect algorithms, cryptographic keys, and sensitive data.
White-Box Works is an advanced 3rd generation white-box cryptography tool. It is proven to secure keys and data inside protected software, while also preventing attackers from extracting sensitive algorithmic logic even in hostile runtime environments. 
Automotive use cases include:
Protecting vehicle authentication and communication protocols
Securing proprietary algorithms used in control systems
Safeguarding data used by connected vehicle services
Learn more about White-Box Works
Isometric drawing of boxes and a shield
Isometric drwaing of an AI chip

Fusion AI

Protect in-vehicle AI models and edge-deployed intelligence.
AI models deployed in vehicles or edge devices are vulnerable to reverse engineering and IP theft once they leave controlled environments. Fusion AI provides a single workflow to secure AI models, protect model weights and algorithms, and control deployment.
Fusion AI enables automotive companies to:
Secure AI models embedded in vehicles
Protect machine learning algorithms deployed at the edge
Prevent model theft or replication by competitors
Learn more about Fusion AI

Automotive Use Cases

Futuristic outline of a car

Protect Digital Twin and Simulation Software

Automotive manufacturers and suppliers rely heavily on simulation platforms and digital twin models for design, testing, and validation. PACE enables companies to securely distribute these tools while protecting the underlying algorithms and IP.
Image represesting in vehicle AI

Secure In-Vehicle AI and Edge Intelligence

Advanced vehicles increasingly deploy AI models locally to support autonomy, driver assistance, predictive maintenance, and infotainment. Fusion AI protects these models from reverse engineering and unauthorized extraction.
Image representing embedded software

Protect Embedded Vehicle Software

From firmware to advanced vehicle applications, automotive software often runs in environments where attackers have physical access. Fusion and White-Box Works protect critical code and algorithms from tampering and analysis.
Blurred lines

Monetize Engineering Software and Tools

Automotive software vendors delivering tools for simulation, calibration, or analytics use iLok Licensing to keep control of their software even when it is delivered to customer or partner premises.
Newtwen

NEWTWEN - MATLAB Integration for Licensing Digital Twins

Milo De Sorcellis, CTO of NEWTWEN, speaks with the PACE team about their Digital Twin on Edge Computing technology

Protect the Future of Automotive Software

From embedded vehicle systems to cloud-connected platforms and AI-powered vehicles, automotive innovation increasingly depends on protecting valuable software IP.

PACE provides the security and licensing infrastructure automotive companies need to protect their technology, deploy it safely, and build sustainable software-driven business models.

Contact us to learn how PACE can help secure your automotive software ecosystem.

Features

Strong Security

Leave software protection and license management to us - that's what we do. Your focus can be on developing great products.

Custom Settings

We put the control in your hands. Design your security and licensing model to work for your business.

Multiple License Types

Offer the type of licenses that meet your business needs: perpetual, subscription, network-based, trial, or timed.

Flexible Activations

You define when a license is required, and how it can be activated.

Subscription Support

Expand your user base with a lower entry cost. Subscriptions are easy to distribute and manage.

Demo at Launch Time

Hook your customer at first launch - choose to allow a trial period and specify what the user's options will be once the demonstration period is over.

Fast, Secure Database

Speed and security are serious business - we take care of that for you, processing millions of license activations a week.

Encrypted Communications

Our system uses encrypted channels to protect your software locally; you will never need to send us unprotected source files.

Reporting

Request and download custom reports - even track usage in real-time.

Customer Support

Our customers receive full documentation, quality support, and access to our engineering team.

Proven Track Record

Our protection stands strong for years, not hours or days.
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