OCPP security profiles are predefined sets of security requirements that specify how an EV charger and a CPMS should authenticate, encrypt, and trust each other when communicating over OCPP. They help standardize cybersecurity maturity levels for charger-to-backend communication—ranging from basic transport security to certificate-based mutual authentication and stronger identity management.
Why OCPP security profiles matter
OCPP enables remote monitoring and control, so weak security can lead to:
– Unauthorized remote commands (stop sessions, unlock connectors, reset devices)
– Data leakage (users, sessions, tariffs, site information)
– Malware propagation and lateral movement across sites
– Billing fraud through manipulated transactions and meter values
– Increased downtime and incident impact across a network
Security profiles define a clear baseline so operators can enforce consistent controls across vendors and deployments.
What security profiles typically cover
Even though implementations vary by OCPP version and vendor, security profiles generally address:
Transport encryption
– Use of TLS to encrypt OCPP traffic over WebSockets/HTTPS
– Requirements for certificate validation and secure cipher suites
Authentication and identity
– How the charger proves its identity to the CPMS (credentials vs certificates)
– Whether the CPMS identity is validated by the charger (server certificates)
– Support for mutual TLS (mTLS) where both sides authenticate
Credential and certificate lifecycle
– Provisioning approach (factory-installed vs field provisioning)
– Rotation, revocation, and expiry handling
– Protection of private keys and secure storage on the device
Operational security controls
– Restricting configuration changes to authorized roles (RBAC)
– Protecting admin portals with MFA
– Logging, monitoring, and incident response readiness
Typical maturity levels (conceptual)
Networks often describe OCPP security profiles as maturity tiers:
– Basic: encrypted transport (TLS) with server validation
– Intermediate: stronger client authentication, tighter credential controls
– Advanced: certificate-based device identity, mTLS, managed certificate lifecycle, hardened provisioning
The exact naming and requirements depend on the OCPP version and the chosen implementation standard.
Practical implementation considerations
– Confirm the charger and CPMS support the same security profile and certificate methods
– Automate certificate provisioning and renewal to avoid field failures and downtime
– Separate commissioning credentials from production credentials
– Use network segmentation so chargers are isolated from corporate and guest networks
– Monitor for abnormal behavior (connection spikes, repeated auth failures, unusual commands)
– Maintain a secure firmware update process so security controls remain intact over time
Common pitfalls
– “TLS enabled” but weak validation (accepting any certificate, outdated cipher suites)
– Long-lived credentials that are never rotated
– Shared certificates or keys across many chargers (high blast radius)
– Poor certificate expiry management causing mass offline events
– Leaving commissioning ports or default passwords active in production
Related glossary terms
OCPP
OCPP 1.6
OCPP 2.0.1
TLS encryption
Mutual TLS (mTLS)
Secure update pipeline
Network segmentation
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Cybersecurity audits