For more than two decades, connected cars have transformed the automotive industry, delivering unprecedented convenience, safety, and innovation. However, these advancements come with rising automotive cybersecurity risks that manufacturers can no longer afford to overlook.

Modern vehicles have evolved into highly connected digital ecosystems where their software is just as critical as their hardware. While this level of connectivity comes with great benefits for drivers and manufacturers alike, it has also created new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. Adding to the complexity, the rapid rise of AI has given attackers access to powerful tools, enabling them to develop sophisticated, hard-to-detect threats. The good news? There are ways to counter them.

For automotive manufacturers, this moment represents a pivotal turning point. Addressing these challenges demands a fundamental shift in strategy from reactive patching to proactively identifying emerging risks. It also means investing in advanced technologies and developing new skill sets to keep pace with evolving threats.

At Concentrix, we specialize in helping organizations rise to these challenges. By delivering tailored solutions like AI-driven security operations, supply chain risk management, and compliance support, we empower organizations to safeguard the future of connected mobility. Explore the key challenges facing the automotive industry as we outline a comprehensive automotive cybersecurity roadmap designed for resilience and highlight how we’re poised to drive transformation in this sector.

Increasing Complexity with Security Objectives

The cybersecurity priorities for the automotive industry haven’t changed—it’s still about securing vehicles, protecting data, and staying compliant. What’s different in 2025 is the complexity of these challenges, driven by advancements in technology, evolving threats, and the need for a more agile response.¹ Let’s take a closer look at the key challenges and how to address them effectively:

Protecting an Expanding Attack Surface

Modern vehicles are no longer just cars—they’re networks on wheels. Electronic control units (ECUs), sensors, and V2X communication enable features like infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This means every new function introduces potential vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals can target these systems with increasing ease thanks to tools like ransomware-as-a-service readily available on the black market. Addressing this requires real-time monitoring, proactive threat hunting, and fleet-wide visibility. By leveraging AI, manufacturers can detect and respond to risks faster, ensuring vulnerabilities are mitigated before they escalate.

Mitigating AI-Powered Adversarial Attacks

AI is at the heart of automotive innovation—powering autonomous driving, predictive maintenance, and personalized in-car experiences. However, these same AI systems are prime targets for adversarial attacks. Subtle manipulations, such as corrupted datasets or misleading road signs, can compromise decision-making processes with catastrophic results. Security Operations Centers (SOCs) must integrate AI-driven detection systems to continuously monitor data manipulations and anomalies affecting AI models. This ensures systems remain reliable, even in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats.

Preventing Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

The automotive supply chain is vast and complex, involving numerous third-party suppliers. Each link in the chain presents a potential entry point for attackers. Weaknesses in third-party systems can lead to compromised hardware, software, or firmware, which can then be exploited in vehicles. Manufacturers must enforce higher automotive cybersecurity standards across their supply chain and integrate supply chain visibility into their security operations. Proactive governance, coupled with advanced threat intelligence, is essential to mitigating risks and maintaining trust.

Reducing Over-the-Air (OTA) Update Risks

OTA updates are a double-edged sword. While they offer a convenient way to patch vulnerabilities and roll out new features, they also present a tempting entry point for cybercriminals. Attackers can exploit poorly secured update mechanisms to inject malicious code, potentially affecting entire fleets. To counter this, manufacturers need robust encryption, authentication protocols, and rigorous pre-deployment testing, monitoring OTA activities and ensuring these updates remain secure.

Protecting Consumer Data Privacy

Connected vehicles generate and collect a wealth of sensitive data, including location, driving behavior, and even biometric information. Protecting this data is critical for maintaining compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA, as well as preserving consumer trust. Automotive manufacturers must implement stringent privacy safeguards, monitor data flows continuously, and address vulnerabilities proactively to prevent breaches that could lead to severe legal and reputational consequences.

Building an Automotive Cybersecurity Roadmap for 2025

Creating a robust cybersecurity roadmap is essential for automotive manufacturers aiming to stay ahead of evolving threats. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

• Assess the Current State: Start with a thorough evaluation of your existing cybersecurity posture. Identify gaps in your SOC capabilities, evaluate the resilience of your supply chain, and map vulnerabilities across your connected vehicle ecosystems.
• Leverage AI and Automation: Enhance your SOC with AI-driven tools and automation like Concentrix’s own iX Hello™ to improve threat detection, incident response, and anomaly monitoring. AI provides real-time insights, enabling faster and more effective responses to sophisticated attacks.^²

• Strengthen Supply Chain Security: Establish stricter security standards for third-party suppliers and implement mechanisms to monitor and audit compliance. Make supply chain visibility a core component of your SOC strategy.

• Secure OTA Updates: Invest in robust encryption, authentication protocols, and pre-deployment testing for OTA updates. Continuous monitoring ensures vulnerabilities are identified and resolved proactively.

• Prioritize Data Privacy: Stay ahead of global regulations by implementing advanced encryption, data anonymization, secure APIs, regulatory compliance, and regular audits and assessments, as we are doing daily with iX Hello. Safeguarding consumer data is critical for trust and regulatory compliance.

• Upskill and Recruit Talent: Equip your workforce with the skills needed to address emerging threats. Invest in training and hire specialists in AI-driven security, supply chain risk management, and data protection.

• Partner for Success: Collaborate with trusted automotive cybersecurity partners like Concentrix. From SOC modernization to supply chain risk mitigation, we bring the expertise needed to build a tailored roadmap and guide you through its execution.

Embracing AI in the Automotive Sector

The challenge of cybersecurity in the automotive space is complex, but thankfully, the solutions are known. The automotive industry must modernize its cybersecurity strategies to match the pace of technological advancement. This means embracing AI and automation, enhancing supply chain governance, and building SOCs that are equipped to handle the demands of today’s threat landscape. Concentrix is here to help —with expertise, technology, and a proven track record of securing connected ecosystems, we’re ready to partner with automotive manufacturers on this journey toward a safer, smarter future.

Learn how to modernize your security operations with automation-first, AI-driven managed security services.