Digital Security Renewals

D-VSD is the collective term for any and all digital information relating to the security of a vehicle.

When compromised, D-VSD can be used to gain entry to a locked vehicle (by means of remote or keyless unlocking) and start vehicles with electronic ignitions (also referred to as “push to start” vehicles) by disabling the relevant alarm and immobiliser systems.

D-VSD can be obtained or compromised via the following methods:

• By obtaining a physical Key through theft or loss.
• By purchasing data directly from a vehicle manufacturer’s approved retailers or from illegitimate third-party sources online.
• By using key-cloning devices to access digital security data held within an existing, working key.
• By using diagnostic communication devices or, through microprocessor reading techniques (EEPROM) to access security data held within a vehicle’s ECU’s
• By using remote diagnostic technology to connect to a vehicle over the internet to access security data held within a vehicle’s ECU’s.
• By using frequency-acquiring technology to remotely access security data transmitted by Keys for vehicles with keyless entry and/or keyless start functionality.

Digital Security Renewals can performed at any point during a vehicle’s lifetime, allowing vehicle owners to retake sole ownership of a vehicle’s digital security data, by disabling all D-VSD not in the hands of the owner or registered keeper - providing total protection against a locked vehicle being accessed or stolen using compromised D-VSD.¹

In the majority of cases Digital Security Renewals take less than 30 minutes to complete and can be carried out either in a dedicated workshop environment or where suitable, at a vehicle owner’s place of work or home address.

Mechanical Security Renewals

M-VSD is the collective term for mechanical information relating to the security of a vehicle.

When compromised, M-VSD can be used gain entry to a locked vehicle by mechanical means (manually unlocking the car with the key blade).

M-VSD can be obtained or compromised via the following methods:

• By obtaining a physical key through theft or loss.
• By purchasing data directly from a vehicle manufacturer’s approved retailers or from illegitimate third-party sources online.
• By using lock-picks to manually decode a locking systems' wafer or pin design.
• By using a key-cutting machine to decode an existing key blade.
• By manually decoding a photograph or physical impression of an existing key blade.

Mechanical Security Renewals can be performed at any point during a vehicle’s lifetime, allowing vehicle owners to retake sole ownership of a vehicle’s mechanical security data, by disabling all M-VSD not in the hands of the owner - completely removing the risk of a locked vehicle being accessed using compromised M-VSD.

In the majority of cases Mechanical Security Renewals take less than a single day to complete and can be carried out either in a dedicated workshop environment or where suitable, at a vehicle owner’s place of work or home address.

Use Cases & Certification

As sensitive information with the potential to bypass a vehicle’s security features, vehicle owners should treat their vehicle security data as confidential information, just as they do with personal and payment related data.

Typically, compromised D-VSD is considered a greater security risk than M-VSD, as compromised D-VSD can be used to both gain entry to and start a locked vehicle, whereas; compromised M-VSD can only be used to gain entry to a locked vehicle. ²

To provide the greatest level of protection vehicle owners should consider having Digital Renewals and Mechanical Renewals performed together.

Occasions in which vehicle owners should consider having a Security Renewal performed on their vehicles include:

• Following the loss or theft of their keys.
• Following the theft or break-in of their vehicle.
• Following a request by their Insurer to do so.
• Prior to the sale of, or upon purchase of, a used vehicle.
• Following the use of a vehicle by employees, temporary personnel or outside contractors.

After a Security Renewal has been performed, a formal Certificate of Work confirming the vehicle has been secured and detailing the number of Active Keys at that time is provided.

Certificates of Works can then be presented to insurers, prospective vehicle buyers or any other relevant parties as proof of a vehicle’s security status or, to give greater clarification and certainty over the security history of a vehicle.

² Compromised M-VSD - refers to the use of compromised M-VSD being using to gain access to a vehicle produced after 1st January 2000, which have factory fitted electronic immobiliser systems. Some vehicles produced before this date do not have factory fitted electronic immobiliser systems and can therefore be accessed and started (stolen) using compromised M-VSD only.