Understanding OCPP Security Profiles: Securing the Future of EV Charging

With the expanding growth of battery Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the demand for secure, reliable charging infrastructure is higher than ever. One of the key enablers of interoperability and secure communication between EV charging stations and central management systems is the standard, Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). While many stakeholders are familiar with OCPP’s role in facilitating data and communications, fewer understand the critical importance of its Security Profiles and the need for a structured approach to protecting EV charging and electric grid infrastructure against cyber threats.

In this article, we explore what OCPP security profiles are, why they matter, and how they fit into the broader landscape of EV charging and grid infrastructure security.

What is OCPP?

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a communication standard originally developed by the Open Charge Alliance (OCA) to allow charging stations and central systems (e.g., charge point operators’ backends) to communicate seamlessly. Now published as an international standard, IEC 63584: 2024, OCPP ensures interoperability between different hardware and software providers, reducing vendor lock-in and enabling secure and scalable EV infrastructure.

As of 2025, the most commonly deployed versions are OCPP 1.6 and OCPP 2.0.1. While OCPP 1.6 introduced basic support for secure communication, its OCPP 2.0.1 and recently released OCPP 2.1, significantly raises the bar by formalizing necessary security profiles.

Why Security Profiles Matter

EV charging stations are part of critical infrastructure. If compromised, they can expose user data, disrupt transportation networks, or even be used as attack vectors into broader energy systems. As charging stations become smarter and more connected, they also become more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Security profiles in OCPP are designed to address these risks. They define levels of security, enabling a standardized approach to encrypting communications, verifying identities, and protecting against tampering or unauthorized access.

Overview of OCPP Security Profiles

OCPP 2.0.1 and 2.1 cybersecurity introduces three profiles, each providing a progressively stronger level of protection.

Security Profile 1 - Unsecured with Basic Authentication

This profile involves plaintext communication without any form of encryption or authentication. It is typically used only in testing scenarios or in tightly controlled environments where security, that may be required for a production deployment, is not a concern. However, the production risks are significant. Data and commands are transmitted openly, making them highly susceptible to interception, spoofing, and unauthorized manipulation. As a result, this profile is strongly discouraged for any production deployment and should be avoided in real-world applications.

Security Profile 2 – Basic TLS Security

Security profile 2 establishes secure communication between the charge point and the central system using HTTPS with TLS encryption, typically TLS 1.2 or higher. It includes server authentication through digital certificates and offers optional client authentication for added assurance. 

This profile is well-suited for most commercial EV charging deployments where robust yet manageable security is required. It effectively safeguards against threats like eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. However, successful implementation depends on proper certificate management and the use of a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of the communication.

Security Profile 3 – TLS with Client-Side Certificates and Message Signing

The top-most security profile for OCPP 2.0.1 enhances the protections of profile 2 by enforcing mutual TLS authentication and incorporating digital signatures to ensure message integrity and non-repudiation. This profile mandates client authentication using certificates and verifies that messages have not been altered in transit. 

It also optionally supports secure firmware updates and secure logging mechanisms. Designed for high-security environments such as public charging infrastructure, fleet depots, and grid-integrated systems, this security profile offers robust identity verification and significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized commands or data manipulation. While it is more complex to implement and manage, particularly in large-scale deployments, it delivers best-in-class security and is ideal for mission-critical applications.

Practical Considerations for Deploying OCPP Security

Implementing OCPP security is not just about selecting a profile. It's about designing your system around it. Here are some critical factors to consider:

1. Certificate Management

Managing Transport Layer Security (TLS), a cryptographic protocol to ensure secure network communications by encrypting data and verifying the identity of connected parties, and client certificates at scale can be challenging, especially for fleets or networks with hundreds of stations. Use automated certificate lifecycle management solutions to issue, renew, and revoke certificates efficiently.

2. Hardware Support

Ensure that the charge point hardware and backend systems are compatible with the chosen security profile. Not all OCPP-compliant chargers support the full range of security features, and this is particularly true in older models.

3. Compliance and Regulations

Security Profile 3 may soon become a regulatory requirement in some regions and applications. For instance, the European Union is pushing for stricter cybersecurity compliance. OCA Ambassador Rish Ghatikar told eDRV about the wider need for educating the industry on this matter. “A lot of charging station and grid operators don't understand the needs of compliance and certification against real-world implementations,” Ghatikar said, adding that “Many vendors talk about having OCPP implementation but what they don’t talk about is the need for certification. This usually results in a bespoke and incomplete set of implementations challenging interoperability and security, and the only way to affirm this is through testing and certification.”

4. Performance and Scalability

Encryption and message signing add computational overhead. Profile 2 may introduce slight latency, especially on low-power hardware. Always test your system under load before deploying at scale.

OCPP Cybersecurity in Action: A Real-World Example

In the Netherlands, where EV adoption is among the highest in Europe, many charge point operators have transitioned to security profile 2 as a baseline, with some public infrastructure pilots implementing profile 3. This move has already mitigated known attack vectors such as man-in-the-middle attacks and replay attacks, and it’s contributing to national EV infrastructure resilience.

Toward Mandatory Secure-by-Design Charging

The Open Charge Alliance continues to refine OCPP with security in mind, and the next wave of updates is likely to push for secure-by-default configurations, robust identity management, and better integration with grid cybersecurity requirements.

Ghatikar, who previously worked for Greenlots (Shell Recharge Solutions now) and is a founding member of the OCA as well as being a Technical Committee Co-Chair to standardize OCPP, echoed this when he spoke about how more interconnected systems will require thorough upgrades. “When the system becomes interconnected you need to start thinking about how to provide end-to-end security,” Ghatikar told eDRV, adding that, “this is particularly true of new high-speed charging infrastructure like the Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) used for medium and heavy-duty fleets.”

As EV adoption accelerates globally, so does the sophistication of cyber threats. Security can no longer be an optional add-on. By adopting OCPP Security Profiles (particularly Profile 2 or 3) operators, manufacturers, and software vendors can ensure they are not only protecting their users but also future-proofing their systems.

More Secure OCPP EV Charging Experiences

OCPP Security Profiles in versions 2.0.1 and 2.1 provide a clear, standardized roadmap for securing EV charging infrastructure. Whether you're a fleet operator, hardware vendor, or network provider, implementing the appropriate security profile can help you protect assets, meet compliance standards, and build trust with users. As the EV ecosystem becomes more interconnected with the electric grid and data-driven, securing that ecosystem becomes not just a technical necessity, but a business imperative.

Reach out to eDRV to learn more about OCPP security profiles.