Vehicle security

Thatcham Research has been at the forefront of vehicle security since the 1990s when it introduced a security assessment (NVSA) for new vehicles that is applied to the group rating for insurance companies. Since then, we have been working with law enforcement agencies, the automotive industry and insurers to assess potential physical and electronic vulnerabilities, and identifying the technology and ways to mitigate theft.

Thatcham Research works in close collaboration with car makers, law enforcement agencies and insurers.

The introduction of the New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) in 1992 effectively brought an end to the car crime epidemic of that era by introducing alarms and double-locking door functions, among other measures. In 1992, there were 620,000 car thefts, and the NVSA was instrumental in driving theft levels down by 80% up to 2016.

Today, this close working relationship with the automotive industry, law enforcement agencies and insurers continues, and we are involved across several areas including:

assessing the security of new vehicles through the NVSA programme
product security certification for alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems that verifies the functionality, design and performance of the product
research and assessment into current and future vehicle cyber security threats

Digital Vulnerability

Many carmakers have taken action to close the vulnerability in keyless entry systems, that allows criminals using the 'Relay Attack' technique to steal vehicles using digital theft devices.
However, concerned drivers can still read our guidance on how best to secure their vehicles.

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Thatcham Security Certification

The Thatcham categories for Alarm and Immobilisers were launched in the 1990s and have become an industry benchmark. The certification provides reassurance around the functionality, design and performance of alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems. From 1 January 2019, all security assessments will be conducted under a new Thatcham Security Certification banner.

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