Governance for Cybersecurity & Software Updates

Effective governance is the foundation for aligning with GB/T 44495 (cybersecurity) and GB/T 44496 (software updates). This page outlines a practical, non-normative governance model that integrates organizational roles, policies, competence, process control, supplier oversight, and continuous improvement in the China market context.

1) Policy & Objectives

Cybersecurity & Updates Policy: scope (China market), objectives, risk appetite, decision authority, and links to corporate policies.
Applicability: vehicle types/variants, ECUs, software items, and backend interfaces that affect vehicle risk or update delivery in China.
Commitments: secure development, vulnerability handling/PSIRT, signing/eligibility, records/retention, and privacy-by-design for telemetry.

2) Organization, Roles & Accountability

Leadership: appointed owner(s) for GB/T alignment with authority to approve risk, budgets, and exceptions.
RACI: Responsibility matrices for item security, TARA, verification/validation, PSIRT, SUMS, supplier security, data protection, and records.
Segregation of duties: distinct authors/reviewers/approvers; dual control for keys and signing operations.
Local presence: identified CN contacts for regulator queries, incident comms, and audit coordination.

3) Competence & Training

Role profiles: skills and qualification criteria for engineering, testing, PSIRT, SUMS, dealer operations, and supplier managers.
Curriculum: ISO/SAE 21434 basics, R155/156 fundamentals, GB/T expectations, secure update chain-of-trust, privacy, and evidence hygiene.
Records: training completion, refresh cadence, and competence reviews tied to audits.

4) Process Framework & Control

Cybersecurity lifecycle (GB/T 44495-aligned): concept → development → production → operation → decommissioning with TARA, requirements, and V&V gates.
Software updates (GB/T 44496-aligned): plan → package/sign → approve → deliver → install → validate → record → improve; rollback criteria defined upfront.
Change/config management: version control for artifacts, templates, eligibility rules, manifests, and keys/certificates.
Document control: stable IDs, owners, approvals, applicability to CN variants, bilingual (EN/中文) where needed.

5) Key, PKI & Toolchain Governance

Key management policy: hierarchy, HSM usage, roles, rotation/revocation, emergency procedures; supplier delegation rules.
Signing policy: algorithms/parameters, timestamping, provenance recording, and audit logs.
Approved toolchains: build/packaging/signing, diagnostics/service tools; access control, qualification/approval records, and change approvals.

6) Supplier & Third-Party Governance

Contracts/SOWs: flow-down cybersecurity/update requirements, SLAs for vulnerability fix, SBOM deliverables, evidence packages, and audit rights.
Assessment & monitoring: risk-based supplier audits, corrective actions, and re-assessment triggers tied to incidents or changes.
Interface security: keys/credentials custody, update procedures, service tool controls, and coordination for incidents and campaigns.

7) Records, Retention & Privacy (China Context)

Evidence index: single catalog of artifacts with stable IDs, owners, versions, CN applicability, and translation pointers.
Retention: per-VIN/per-campaign records with defined retention periods suitable for China markets; immutable or signed logs, clock-sync evidence.
Data minimization: telemetry PII reduction, access controls, export logging, and clear lawful basis documentation.

8) Monitoring, PSIRT & Incident Governance

Vulnerability intake: public page, security mailbox, supplier portals; triage SLAs.
PSIRT playbook: severity classes, escalation, communications (incl. CN authorities), linkage to SUMS for corrective updates.
Lessons learned: update TARA, requirements, tests, training, and supplier criteria.

9) KPIs, Audits & Management Review

KPIs: TARA aging, control coverage, defect discovery pre/post, update success/abort, time-to-patch, incident MTTR, training coverage.
Internal audits: periodic checks on CSMS/SUMS, keys/toolchains, suppliers, and records.
Management review: cadence, inputs (KPIs/audits/incidents), decisions and assigned CAPA.

Practical Do / Don’t

Do

Publish a clear RACI and keep it versioned.
Localize critical documents (EN/中文) for audits and suppliers.
Bind security/update SLAs into contracts with measurable acceptance criteria.
Operate dual-control for signing keys; retain key lifecycle logs.
Maintain a single evidence index with stable IDs and CN applicability tags.

Don’t

Rely on ad-hoc emails for supplier evidence—use a controlled portal.
Let eligibility rules change mid-campaign without re-approval.
Store excessive PII in telemetry when technical IDs suffice.
Mix development artifacts with production evidence repositories.

Typical Outputs

Cybersecurity & Updates Policy (CN scope), org chart, and RACI.
Competence matrix, training plan, and completion records.
Process set: TARA/requirements/V&V, PSIRT, SUMS procedures, change/config control.
Key/PKI policy, signing policy, toolchain approvals, access logs.
Supplier clauses, assessment results, CAPA, evidence exchange packages.
Evidence index, retention policy, privacy notes, and access audit logs.
KPI dashboards, internal audit reports, management review minutes/CAPA.

Disclaimer: This page summarizes governance practices relevant to GB/T 44495 & 44496. For authoritative requirements, consult the official standards and applicable guidance from Chinese authorities or accredited bodies.