Automotive Cybersecurity Solutions

Automotive cybersecurity must be embedded at the design stage, not added after vulnerabilities are discovered in production. We help OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers build security by design into the vehicle architecture from the outset: segmenting internal networks and deploying secure gateways so that safety-critical systems stay isolated from infotainment and external connections.

At the hardware level, we integrate Secure Elements and Secure Boot Processes. Together, they establish a hardware root of trust, protect cryptographic keys, and ensure that only authenticated firmware runs on each electronic control unit.

Security by design also lays the groundwork for regulatory compliance. Our automotive cybersecurity consulting teams help OEMs translate ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE WP.29 requirements into secure vehicle development.

A security architecture is only as strong as its least-tested component. Before production, we identify and remediate vulnerabilities through a layered verification process.

It begins with Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA) early in development to identify attack paths and prioritize mitigation efforts. This includes penetration testing across ECUs, communication interfaces, and backend services, combined with software analysis of third-party components.

Identifying vulnerabilities before production reduces remediation costs while strengthening both functional safety and vehicle security, helping manufacturers stay on schedule.

No vehicle security architecture remains effective indefinitely without continuous monitoring. This is essential to detect emerging threats before they affect vehicle operations. Our Detect and Response approach combines onboard and off-board monitoring: lightweight Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) watch ECU traffic inside the vehicles, while a Vehicle Security Operations Center (vSOC) correlates telemetry across vehicle fleets.

AI and machine learning models establish behavioral baselines and flag anomalies, such as an unauthorized remote command, before they reach safety-critical functions. Automotive Cyber Threat Intelligence continuously updates detection rules based on emerging attack patterns observed across fleets.

Automotive cybersecurity depends on every exchange remaining confidential and tamper-proof, from in-vehicle systems to cloud services. We secure communication channels end-to-end, covering telematics, APIs, and cloud exchanges using automotive-grade encryption protocols. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are protected through code signing, version control, and rollback mechanisms, preventing OTA updates from being used as an attack vector.

These principles extend across the broader ecosystem, including mutual authentication between vehicles and EV charging stations, protection of charging infrastructure, and privacy-preserving data processing across connected fleets.

ISO/SAE 21434 certified for automotive cybersecurity lifecycle processes

Common Criteria–certified Embedded Secure Elements protecting cryptographic keys and sensitive data

AEC-Q100 qualified components and IATF 16949 quality management systems for automotive-grade reliability

Support for Java Card and GlobalPlatform architectures, ISO 15118 (Plug & Charge), and Connected Car Consortium digital key specifications

Dedicated security labs performing penetration testing and vulnerability assessment on both Thales and third-party systems.

Automotive cybersecurity is the practice of protecting a vehicle's electronic systems, communication networks, software, and data from unauthorized access, manipulation, and cyberattacks. It spans the entire vehicle lifecycle, keeping both internal networks and remote connections secure against evolving digital threats.

Connected vehicles face threats on several fronts. Wireless interfaces (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, V2X) and internal bus protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) can be intercepted or injected with malicious commands, while OTA update mechanisms and the OBD port open further entry points. Beyond the vehicle, ransomware targeting backend platforms and APIs, vulnerabilities in the software supply chain, and privacy breaches from stolen data extend the risk across the entire ecosystem, including EV charging networks and connected fleets.

Yes. International frameworks increasingly require manufacturers to build in cybersecurity, notably UNECE Regulations R155 and R156, which mandate a Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) and a Software Update Management System (SUMS). These regulations are now a prerequisite for vehicle type approval in over 50 countries, including across the EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Automotive cybersecurity also means protecting every connected node. Thales uses Hardware Security Modules (HSM) and IoT Security Managers to enable mutual authentication between EVs and charging stations under ISO 15118. It ensures that data exchanges and payment transactions remain encrypted and protected from interception across charging infrastructure and supply chains.

As quantum computing advances, today’s encryption methods will eventually become vulnerable. Thales is developing post-quantum cryptography capabilities for automotive applications to protect long-life vehicles against future quantum-enabled attacks.

AI-driven solutions use machine learning to establish a baseline of normal vehicle behavior. By analyzing ECU communications in real time, they can instantly flag and mitigate anomalies, such as an unauthorized remote command, before they affect passenger safety.