Method, Vehicle Component, and Computer Program for Granting Authorization to Run a Computer Program by Means of a Vehicle Component of a Vehicle

A method grants authorization to run a computer program using a vehicle component of a vehicle. The method includes storing identification information on the vehicle component as part of a production process, said identification information being specific to the vehicle component. An additional authentication key is stored in the vehicle component during a development process. The additional authentication key is linked to the identification information by means of a cryptographic signature. The method also includes obtaining the computer program for the vehicle component, wherein said computer program is cryptographically signed. The method further includes running the computer program if the cryptographic signature of the computer program is valid according to an authentication process using the additional authentication key and if the cryptographic signature is based on the identification information.