If you’re eyeing a Kia, you’ll soon see that the brand has just earned two ARAI certifications that cover the very heart of modern connected cars: cybersecurity and software updates.
AIS 189, the cybersecurity certification, is about ruling the risk from the ground up. It locks in governance, a formal risk assessment process, incident‑response plans, and continuous monitoring that run through every phase of a car’s life.
AIS 190 tackles the software side. It confirms that every OTA package is planned, validated, securely signed, traceable, and compliant with regulations, giving owners a clean, reliable upgrade path.
But for a buyer, it means Kia’s connected features—like the MyKIA app and real‑time diagnostics—are now backed by a formal safety net that competitors are only beginning to emulate. Compared to rivals, Hyundai’s Kona and Kia’s own Seltos were the first to get these stamps, while brands such as Tata and Mahindra are still chasing them.
From a policy angle, ARAI’s AIS guidelines are a stepping stone toward the government’s EV mandate that will demand secure connectivity by 2027. Manufacturers who meet these standards may also enjoy smoother registration and lower compliance costs.
The certifications are already in place for Kia’s latest range—from the Seltos to the EV6—so any new owner can count on secure, OTA‑driven updates starting in 2024. Keep an eye on the 2025 model year, when Kia plans to roll out its next generation of connected services.