Protecting Connected Vehicles from Cyber Threats
▼ Summary
– Connected vehicles and digital operations are transforming fleet management cybersecurity, with risks like API breaches, OBD tampering, and OTA update attacks requiring a zero-trust approach and AI integration.
– Predictive analytics and real-time data enhance proactive security and safety for both digital and physical fleet assets.
– Emerging threats include compromised telematics APIs, OBD/diagnostics hacks, backend/OTA infrastructure attacks, and supply-chain/API abuse, mirroring IT security challenges.
– Continuous visibility into mobile assets involves VIN-level SBOMs, behavioral telemetry, and threat signal correlation to ensure real-time security and driver safety.
– Incident response integrates cyber and fleet operations, treating vehicles, chargers, and backend systems as a unified platform, while AI and OTA updates improve proactive security measures.
The rapid rise of connected vehicles has transformed fleet management, bringing both innovation and heightened cybersecurity risks. As digital operations expand across transportation networks, protecting these mobile assets requires a security strategy that addresses both cyber and physical threats. Robert Knoblauch, Chief Information Security Officer at Element Fleet Management, highlights how modern fleet security now demands a zero-trust approach, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven defenses to counter evolving attack vectors.
One of the biggest challenges lies in securing the growing number of connected systems within vehicles. Telematics, GPS, and onboard diagnostics create multiple entry points for attackers, from compromised APIs to manipulated sensor data. Recent incidents have shown hackers exploiting vulnerabilities to remotely control critical functions, bypassing ignition systems, disabling safety features, or even altering autonomous vehicle perception systems. These threats underscore the need for continuous visibility across every component, from electronic control units (ECUs) to third-party integrations like infotainment apps.
Supply chain risks further complicate fleet security. With vehicles relying on software and hardware from diverse manufacturers, vulnerabilities in one component can cascade across the entire ecosystem. For example, attacks targeting EV chargers or third-party APIs can expose sensitive vehicle data or enable unauthorized access. Fleet operators must maintain rigorous oversight, including real-time monitoring of firmware versions, patch status, and behavioral anomalies across all connected assets.
Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating risks before they escalate. By analyzing telemetry data from CAN bus networks and diagnostic systems, AI can detect unusual patterns, whether it’s unexpected ECU behavior or deviations in driver-assist functions. Predictive analytics also helps prioritize alerts, reducing false positives while flagging genuine threats like potential brake failures or signs of driver fatigue.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates have become a double-edged sword. While they enable rapid deployment of security patches, poorly secured update mechanisms can be hijacked to deliver malicious code. Implementing robust encryption, authentication, and integrity checks ensures that OTA pipelines remain secure, mirroring best practices from enterprise IT environments.
Incident response now spans both digital and physical domains. A coordinated approach treats vehicles, chargers, and backend systems as a unified platform, allowing security teams to react swiftly to threats. Fleet managers benefit from proactive alerts, whether it’s scheduling maintenance before a mechanical failure occurs or rerouting drivers away from hazardous conditions.
The future of fleet security hinges on adaptability. As vehicles grow more autonomous and interconnected, the industry must stay ahead of threats by integrating advanced analytics, zero-trust principles, and cross-functional collaboration. The lessons learned from decades of IT security are proving invaluable, but the unique challenges of connected fleets demand continuous innovation to keep drivers, vehicles, and data safe.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
