In a process for ensuring the data integrity of software for influencing
operation of a control unit of a motor vehicle, a pair of keys is provided
for encrypting and decrypting electronic data. The first key is stored for
access by a control unit in the motor vehicle, and software which is to be
imported is signed by means of the second key. The signed software is
imported into the memory of the control unit and the signature of the
software is checked by means of the first key. The signature is accepted
if the check has a positive result.
