The automobile has evolved.
What was once primarily a mechanical machine has become a complex, software-driven, connected and increasingly intelligent system. Modern vehicles contain dozens of Electronic Control Units (ECUs), millions of lines of software code, multiple communication networks, sensors, cameras, cloud connections, mobile applications, diagnostic interfaces and over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities.
This transformation has created enormous opportunities—but
it has also created a new class of engineering risks.
A vulnerability in a vehicle component may no longer remain
confined to that component. A weakness in an ECU, communication interface,
diagnostic port, mobile application, cloud service, software library or
supplier component can potentially become an entry point into a much larger
vehicle ecosystem.
The question is no longer:
"Can we build a vehicle that works?"
The question is:
"Can we build a vehicle that continues to work
safely and securely when someone deliberately tries to make it fail?"
That is the thinking behind ISO/SAE 21434 — Road Vehicles
— Cybersecurity Engineering.
WHY THIS COURSE MATTERS
Cybersecurity cannot be treated as something that is added
at the end of vehicle development.
It must be considered from the moment a system is conceived,
through architecture, software and hardware development, testing, production,
deployment, operation, maintenance, software updates and eventual
decommissioning.
This requires a fundamental change in mindset:
From:
"Find vulnerabilities before launch."
To:
"Engineer cybersecurity into the product and its
lifecycle."
ISO/SAE 21434 provides a structured framework for managing
cybersecurity risks throughout the lifecycle of automotive electrical and
electronic systems.
But understanding the standard is only the beginning.
The real value comes from being able to apply its principles
to real vehicles, real components, real projects and real engineering
decisions.
THINK LIKE AN ATTACKER.
ENGINEER LIKE A DEFENDER.
During this programme, participants will be challenged to
look at an automobile from two different perspectives.
THE ATTACKER ASKS:
Where can I enter?
What can I access?
What vulnerability can I exploit?
What happens if I modify it?
Can I move from one system to another?
Can I remain undetected?
THE ENGINEER ASKS:
What are our critical assets?
What can go wrong?
What is the potential impact?
How do we assess the risk?
What cybersecurity goal do we need?
What security requirement should we define?
How do we implement the control?
How do we verify that it actually works?
FROM COMPONENT TO VEHICLE
A central idea throughout this programme will be:
A component does not exist in isolation.
Consider a simple ECU.
It may communicate with:
Sensors → ECU → CAN/Ethernet → Gateway → Other ECUs →
Telematics → Cloud → Mobile Application
Now imagine that one component contains a vulnerability.
The important question is not simply:
"Is this component vulnerable?"
The more important question is:
"What could an attacker do with that vulnerability,
and what could ultimately be affected?"
This is where Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA)
becomes critical.
THE PRACTICAL LEARNING MODEL
Participants will use a simple working framework throughout
the programme:
COMPONENT
What are we analysing?
↓
ASSET
What needs to be protected?
↓
VULNERABILITY
Where could the weakness exist?
↓
ATTACK PATH
How could an attacker reach it?
↓
THREAT
What could the attacker do?
↓
DAMAGE
What could happen?
↓
RISK
How significant is the risk?
↓
CYBERSECURITY GOAL
What must we protect?
↓
REQUIREMENT
What must the system do?
↓
CONTROL
How will we protect it?
↓
VERIFY
How will we prove that the protection works?
This transforms cybersecurity from an abstract concept into
an engineering decision-making process.
THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISO AWARENESS PROGRAMME
Over these two days, participants will not simply listen to
presentations.
They will:
- Map
vehicle attack surfaces
- Identify
assets
- Analyse
vulnerabilities
- Build
threat scenarios
- Conduct
practical TARA exercises
- Use
Fishbone and 5-Why analysis
- Develop
cybersecurity goals
- Convert
threats into cybersecurity requirements
- Identify
security controls
- Analyse
ECU and vehicle interfaces
- Examine
OTA security
- Explore
supplier cybersecurity
- Examine
production and manufacturing risks
- Connect
cybersecurity with functional safety
- Work
through incident-response scenarios
- Build
cybersecurity checklists
- Develop
practical action plans
- Apply
the learning to a real component or system from their work environment
THE MINDSET WE WANT TO BUILD
The objective is not to make every participant a
cybersecurity specialist.
The objective is to make every participant cybersecurity-aware
in the decisions they already make.
An engineer changing software should think:
"What new cybersecurity risk does this change
introduce?"
A designer adding an interface should ask:
"What new attack surface have we created?"
A supplier-quality professional should ask:
"What cybersecurity evidence should I expect from
this supplier?"
A manufacturing engineer should ask:
"Can this programming or diagnostic station become
an entry point?"
A tester should ask:
"Can I demonstrate that the cybersecurity
requirement actually works?"
A project manager should ask:
"What cybersecurity risks remain open before
release?"
A leader should ask:
"Who owns this risk, and where is the
evidence?"
THE 5-STEP COURSE FRAMEWORK
Throughout the programme, we will use:
C — CONNECT
Understand the vehicle, system and attack surface.
A — ASSESS
Identify assets, vulnerabilities and threats.
R — RISK
Conduct TARA and understand potential consequences.
E — ENGINEER
Develop cybersecurity goals, requirements and controls.
S — SUSTAIN
Verify, monitor, respond and continuously improve.
CONNECT → ASSESS → RISK → ENGINEER → SUSTAIN
THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE
At the end of these two days, participants should not merely
be able to answer:
"What is ISO/SAE 21434?"
They should be able to answer:
"What does ISO/SAE 21434 mean for MY component, MY
project, MY process and MY vehicle?"
And more importantly:
"What can I do differently tomorrow?"
Because automotive cybersecurity is not achieved by a
document, a certificate or a single security test.
It is achieved when cybersecurity becomes part of
everyday engineering, manufacturing, supplier management, testing,
decision-making and continuous improvement.
WELCOME TO CYBERSECURE VEHICLES 4.0
Think Like an Attacker.
Engineer Like a Defender.
Build Vehicles That Can Be Trusted.
ISO/SAE 21434:2021 establishes cybersecurity engineering requirements across the E/E-system lifecycle—from concept and development through production, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. It is technology-neutral and focuses on cybersecurity risk management rather than prescribing particular security technologies. (ISO)
2-Day Training Programme
ISO/SAE 21434 — Cybersecurity for Road Vehicles
Suggested programme title
Cybersecurity for Road Vehicles – ISO/SAE 21434:2021
From Threat Analysis to Cybersecurity Engineering and Operational Resilience
Target participants
- Vehicle/System
Engineers
- E/E
Engineers
- ECU/Embedded
Engineers
- Software
Engineers
- Cybersecurity
Engineers
- Functional
Safety Engineers
- R&D
- Product
Development
- Vehicle
Architecture
- Connected
Vehicle/Telematics Teams
- OTA
Teams
- Quality
- Supplier
Quality
- Procurement
- Manufacturing/Production
Engineering
- IT/OT
Cybersecurity
- Testing
& Validation
- Project
Managers
- Technical
Programme Managers
- Senior
HR/L&D stakeholders responsible for technical capability development
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
By the end of two days, participants should be able to:
- Explain
the purpose and structure of ISO/SAE 21434.
- Understand
automotive cybersecurity versus traditional IT cybersecurity.
- Identify
vehicle attack surfaces.
- Identify
assets and cybersecurity properties.
- Develop
an Item Definition.
- Conduct
a practical TARA.
- Identify
damage scenarios and threat scenarios.
- Develop
cybersecurity goals.
- Derive
cybersecurity requirements.
- Understand
cybersecurity concept and architecture.
- Apply
security controls to ECU/vehicle architectures.
- Understand
verification and validation.
- Manage
cybersecurity in production and post-production.
- Understand
cybersecurity monitoring and incident response.
- Evaluate
supplier cybersecurity evidence.
- Understand
OTA cybersecurity.
- Understand
vulnerability and cybersecurity incident management.
- Connect
ISO/SAE 21434 with UN R155/R156.
- Create
a practical cybersecurity implementation roadmap for their workplace.
- Take
back templates/checklists that can be used immediately.
UN Regulation No. 155 specifically addresses vehicle
cybersecurity and cybersecurity management systems, while UN R156 addresses
software updates. (UNECE)
DAY 1
BUILDING THE AUTOMOTIVE CYBERSECURITY MINDSET
DAY 1 FLOW
|
Time |
Module |
Method |
|
09:00–09:30 |
Opening + Cybersecurity Reality
Check |
Poll + discussion |
|
09:30–10:30 |
1. Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity |
Case study |
|
10:30–11:15 |
2. ISO/SAE 21434 Framework |
Interactive mapping |
|
11:15–11:30 |
Tea Break |
|
|
11:30–12:30 |
3. Automotive Attack Surface |
Group activity |
|
12:30–13:30 |
4. Item Definition |
Hands-on |
|
13:30–14:15 |
Lunch |
|
|
14:15–15:30 |
5. Asset Identification &
Damage Scenarios |
Workshop |
|
15:30–16:30 |
6. TARA – Threat Analysis & Risk Assessment |
Hands-on |
|
16:30–16:45 |
Break |
|
|
16:45–17:30 |
7. Risk Evaluation & Treatment |
Simulation |
|
17:30–18:00 |
Day 1 Cybersecurity Challenge |
Team exercise |
MODULE 1
Why Automotive Cybersecurity Is Different
Duration
60 minutes
Learning objectives
Participants understand why a modern automobile is
effectively a distributed cyber-physical system.
Discuss:
- ECU
- CAN/CAN-FD
- LIN
- Automotive
Ethernet
- Gateway
- Infotainment
- Telematics
- ADAS
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- GNSS
- Cellular
connectivity
- OBD
- USB
- Mobile
applications
- Cloud
backend
- OTA
- Keyless
entry
- Digital
key
- Charging
infrastructure
- EV
battery communication
Key question
“What happens when a cybersecurity incident becomes a
physical safety or operational problem?”
ACTIVITY 1 — "My Car Is a Network"
Give every group a vehicle architecture diagram.
Ask them to identify:
External interfaces → Entry points → ECUs → Networks →
Critical functions
Example:
Mobile App
↓
Cloud
↓
Telematics
↓
Gateway
↓
CAN / Ethernet
↓
ECUs
↓ ↓ ↓
ADAS BCM Powertrain
↓
Vehicle Functions
Group task
Mark:
π΄ High-value assets
π
External interfaces
π‘
Trust boundaries
π΅
Communication paths
π’
Security controls
Takeaway
Participants begin seeing the automobile as an attack
surface, rather than simply a mechanical product.
REAL-WORLD CASE STUDY 1 -
- Video Link - Hindi - Tamil
TAMIL - VIDEO
How can an apparently harmless infotainment/connectivity pathway potentially become a pathway toward vehicle functions?
Discussion
Participants identify:
- Entry
point
- Attack
path
- Trust
boundary
- Vulnerable
component
- Potential
damage
- Required
controls
Important: use the case only for defensive analysis;
do not conduct exploitation against a real vehicle.
Below is a facilitator-ready case study you can
insert directly into your ISO/SAE 21434 training workbook. I have kept the
technical details sufficient for defensive TARA and architecture analysis,
but deliberately avoided operational exploit instructions.
- Video Link - Hindi - Tamil
TAMIL - VIDEO
Case Study: Jeep Cherokee Remote Hacking
"When the Infotainment System Became a Path to
Vehicle Functions"
Case-study purpose
This case demonstrates one of the most important lessons in
automotive cybersecurity:
A component that appears to be an infotainment or
connectivity system can become a cybersecurity pathway to safety- and
vehicle-critical functions when appropriate security boundaries and controls
are absent.
In 2015, security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris
Valasek demonstrated remote compromise of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Their
research showed that a vulnerability in the vehicle's Uconnect
connectivity/infotainment system could be used as a pathway into the vehicle's
internal networks and ultimately affect certain physical vehicle functions. (WIRED)
The demonstration became one of the landmark events in
automotive cybersecurity and contributed to a recall involving approximately 1.4
million affected vehicles equipped with certain Uconnect systems. (NHTSA)
1. CASE BACKGROUND
Vehicle
2014 Jeep Cherokee
Researchers
Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek
Technology involved
Uconnect infotainment/connectivity system
Connectivity
The Uconnect system had cellular connectivity, which created
a pathway between the vehicle and external networks.
Internal vehicle network
The vehicle's electronic control systems communicated over
internal networks including the CAN bus.
Core security problem
The critical architectural lesson was not simply "the
infotainment system had a vulnerability."
The deeper issue was:
A remotely reachable component was connected deeply
enough into the vehicle architecture that compromise could be leveraged toward
other vehicle systems.
The researchers demonstrated that the compromised head unit
could be used to send messages into the vehicle's internal CAN network and
affect certain vehicle functions. (WIRED)
2. WHAT HAPPENED?
The research demonstrated a chain broadly equivalent to:
This is the most important diagram for your training
session.
Don't focus the participants on the specific exploit.
Focus them on the architectural journey of the attack.
3. THE "HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?" QUESTION
Put this question on the screen:
"How can an apparently harmless
infotainment/connectivity pathway potentially become a pathway toward vehicle
functions?"
Give participants 3 minutes individually.
Then ask them to discuss in groups.
Expected thought process:
Stage 1
The attacker is not necessarily starting with the braking or
steering system.
They begin with an externally reachable connected
component.
↓
Stage 2
That component has a software vulnerability.
↓
Stage 3
The attacker gains control over the compromised component.
↓
Stage 4
The compromised component has communication pathways into
the vehicle's internal network.
↓
Stage 5
Insufficient isolation allows messages to reach systems
beyond the original infotainment function.
↓
Stage 6
The attack therefore moves from:
Cyber domain → Vehicle network → Physical consequences
That is the core lesson.
4. ATTACK CHAIN — DEFENSIVE VERSION
For your training, represent the incident as:
|
Stage |
What happened conceptually |
ISO/SAE 21434 question |
|
1 |
External connectivity existed |
What is the attack surface? |
|
2 |
Vulnerability existed in connected
software |
What vulnerabilities must be
considered? |
|
3 |
Attacker reached the connected
component |
What is the entry point? |
|
4 |
Component was compromised |
What assets were exposed? |
|
5 |
Compromised component had internal
network access |
Is the trust boundary appropriate? |
|
6 |
Internal messages could reach other
systems |
Is network segmentation sufficient? |
|
7 |
Vehicle functions were affected |
What is the damage scenario? |
|
8 |
Physical consequences became possible |
How should impact be assessed? |
|
9 |
Manufacturer developed mitigation |
What risk treatment is required? |
|
10 |
Software update/recall followed |
How should vulnerabilities be managed
throughout the lifecycle? |
5. IDENTIFY THE ENTRY POINT
Ask participants:
Where did the attacker enter the vehicle ecosystem?
Expected answer
The attack leveraged the vehicle's externally connected
Uconnect system.
The researchers identified a remotely accessible
vulnerability associated with the Uconnect system's connectivity. Contemporary
technical reporting described the cellular-connected Uconnect system as the
remote entry pathway. (IEEE Spectrum)
Training lesson
The entry point was not an obvious mechanical component.
It was:
Connectivity + software + an externally reachable
interface
ISO/SAE 21434 connection
Participants should ask:
- What
external interfaces exist?
- Which
interfaces are remotely reachable?
- Which
services are exposed?
- What
assets can those interfaces eventually reach?
- What
trust boundaries exist after initial access?
6. IDENTIFY THE VULNERABLE COMPONENT
Component
Uconnect head unit / infotainment system
It was supplied as part of the vehicle's electronic
architecture and provided functions including entertainment,
navigation/connectivity and related services.
The researchers found a vulnerability in the head-unit
environment that enabled them to gain control of the component and then pivot
toward the vehicle network. (WIRED)
Important teaching point
Ask:
"Was the infotainment system itself the final
target?"
Not necessarily.
It functioned as an initial foothold and pivot point.
This is an excellent way to explain:
Attack Surface ≠ Final Target
7. IDENTIFY THE TRUST BOUNDARY
"What should happen when an infotainment ECU is
compromised?"
Ideal answer
The compromise should remain contained.
A compromised infotainment component should not
automatically gain the ability to influence safety- or control-critical
systems.
8. THE KEY ARCHITECTURAL LESSON
"COMPROMISE ONE ≠ COMPROMISE EVERYTHING"
This leads directly into:
- Segmentation
- Least
privilege
- Gateway
security
- Authentication
- Message
validation
- Network
monitoring
- Access
control
- Intrusion
detection
- Secure
architecture
- Defence
in depth
9. IDENTIFY THE ATTACK PATH
REMOTE ACTOR
↓
EXTERNAL CONNECTIVITY
↓
UCONNECT
↓
COMPROMISED INFOTAINMENT
↓
INTERNAL VEHICLE NETWORK
↓
CONTROL-RELATED ECUs
↓
VEHICLE FUNCTION
"At which point could we have broken the attack
chain?"
Potential answers:
Point 1 - External connectivity → Authentication / access control
Point 2 - Infotainment→ Secure software / vulnerability management
Point 3 Infotainment → internal network → Gateway / segmentation
Point 4 Internal network → Message authentication / filtering
Point 5 Critical ECU → Command validation / least privilege
Point 6 Attack detection → IDS / monitoring / incident response
10. POTENTIAL DAMAGE SCENARIOS
The actual 2015 research demonstrated effects on several
vehicle functions, including functions involving braking and steering, under
the researchers' controlled test conditions. Contemporary reporting also
documented manipulation involving throttle, transmission and other vehicle
functions.
For training, don't focus on reproducing those actions.
Instead ask participants to identify the damage scenarios.
Damage Scenario A — Loss of vehicle control
Potential compromise of vehicle-control-related functions
could create a safety risk.
Damage Scenario B — Loss of availability
A vehicle function may become unavailable or behave
unexpectedly.
Damage Scenario C — Incorrect information
Instrument-cluster or vehicle-status information could
potentially be manipulated.
Damage Scenario D — Driver distraction
Unexpected changes to infotainment or vehicle functions
could distract the driver.
Damage Scenario E — Privacy impact
Connected systems may expose information such as
vehicle/location-related data.
Damage Scenario F — Fleet-level impact
A remotely exploitable vulnerability could potentially
affect a large population of similarly configured vehicles.
11. TARA EXERCISE (
Group assignment
Each group gets one asset.
Group 1 - Infotainment system
Group 2 - Vehicle network
Group 3 - Vehicle-control function
Group 4 - Connected communication service
Group 5 - Software/update mechanism
TARA WORKSHEET
|
TARA Element |
Participant Response |
|
Item |
Connected vehicle |
|
Asset |
|
|
Asset value |
|
|
Damage scenario |
|
|
Threat scenario |
|
|
Attack path |
|
|
Entry point |
|
|
Attacker capability |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
Attack feasibility |
|
|
Risk |
|
|
Existing control |
|
|
Control gap |
|
|
Risk treatment |
|
|
Cybersecurity goal |
|
|
Cybersecurity requirement |
|
|
Verification method |
12. SAMPLE TARA
Asset
Vehicle-control-related functionality
Damage scenario
Unauthorized manipulation of vehicle functionality.
Threat scenario
An attacker compromises a remotely accessible connected
vehicle component and uses available internal communication pathways to
influence another vehicle system.
Attack path
External connectivity
↓
Connected ECU
↓
Compromise
↓
Internal network
↓
Target ECU
↓
Vehicle function
Impact
Potentially significant safety and operational consequences.
Attack feasibility
Participants should assess this using the organisation's
approved TARA methodology rather than simply assigning a number based on
intuition.
Risk treatment
Potential measures could include:
- Network
segmentation
- Gateway
filtering
- Strong
authentication
- Secure
communications
- Least-privilege
architecture
- Secure
boot
- Software
hardening
- Vulnerability
management
- Intrusion
detection
- Security
monitoring
- Security
testing
- Incident
response
13. "WHERE WOULD YOU STOP THE ATTACK?"
Internet
↓
Cellular
↓
Uconnect
↓
Internal Network
↓
Gateway
↓
ECU
↓
Vehicle Function
"You can install only THREE security controls. Where
would you place them?"
Each group must justify its choices.
14. RED TEAM / BLUE TEAM EXERCISE
RED TEAM
Their task:
Identify possible pathways by which compromise of a
connected component could propagate toward vehicle functions.
They identify:
☐ External interface
☐ Vulnerable component
☐ Trust boundary
☐ Network pathway
☐ Privilege escalation
☐ Target asset
☐ Potential damage
BLUE TEAM
Their task:
Design controls that prevent the propagation.
They identify:
☐ Authentication
☐ Authorization
☐ Network segmentation
☐ Gateway filtering
☐ Secure boot
☐ Message validation
☐ IDS
☐ Logging
☐ Vulnerability management
☐ Incident response
15. THE "WHAT IF?" EXERCISE
Give participants six hypothetical modifications.
Scenario 1
What if the infotainment system had no connection to the
vehicle-control network?
Would the attack path change?
Scenario 2
What if the gateway filtered messages between
infotainment and critical ECUs?
Would the potential impact change?
Scenario 3
What if every ECU authenticated critical commands?
What changes?
Scenario 4
What if the vulnerability was discovered before SOP?
What lifecycle activities should have detected/addressed it?
Scenario 5
What if the vulnerability was discovered after 500,000
vehicles were sold?
What changes?
Scenario 6
What if the vulnerability exists in a Tier-1 supplier
component?
Who needs to be involved?
This last question naturally leads into:
OEM ↔ Tier-1 ↔ Tier-2 ↔ Software Supplier
and supplier cybersecurity management.
16. INCIDENT RESPONSE EXERCISE
Now change the scenario:
Monday 09:00: Security researchers report a
vulnerability.
Monday 10:00: Engineering confirms the affected
component.
Monday 14:00: 250,000 vehicles may be affected.
Tuesday: A workaround is identified.
Wednesday: A permanent software update is being
developed.
Ask:
What do you do?
First 24 hours
☐ Establish incident team
☐ Validate vulnerability
☐ Identify affected products
☐ Assess severity
☐ Identify affected software versions
☐ Contact relevant suppliers
☐ Assess exploitation evidence
☐ Define containment measures
☐ Establish management communication
First 7 days
☐ Root-cause analysis
☐ TARA reassessment
☐ Develop mitigation
☐ Develop patch
☐ Security testing
☐ Regression testing
☐ Deployment planning
☐ Customer/service communication as appropriate
Longer term
☐ Lessons learned
☐ Update TARA
☐ Update cybersecurity requirements
☐ Update architecture
☐ Update supplier controls
☐ Update security testing
☐ Update cybersecurity knowledge base
17. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED AFTER THE RESEARCH?
This is important because the case should not end with
"hackers controlled the Jeep."
The industry response is equally valuable.
The researchers had shared aspects of their findings with
Chrysler before the public demonstration, allowing the company to prepare a
software fix. FCA subsequently implemented network-level measures and issued a
safety recall for approximately 1.4 million vehicles with affected
Uconnect configurations.
NHTSA's investigation documents that FCA and its network
provider blocked the relevant remote access pathway and that further security
evaluation and regression testing identified additional vulnerabilities
addressed through network or software changes. (NHTSA)
The FCA recall covered specified 2013–2015 vehicles equipped
with certain Uconnect 8.4-inch systems, including the 2014–2015 Jeep Cherokee.
18. THE ISO/SAE 21434 CONNECTION
Now ask:
"If ISO/SAE 21434 principles had been applied
rigorously throughout the lifecycle, where could this type of risk have been
identified or reduced?"
Build the following mapping with participants.
|
Jeep Case Lesson |
ISO/SAE 21434 Activity |
|
External connectivity |
Item Definition |
|
Uconnect interface |
Attack Surface Analysis |
|
Internal network connectivity |
Architecture Analysis |
|
Vulnerability |
Cybersecurity Risk Management |
|
Vehicle-control exposure |
Damage Scenario |
|
Attack pathway |
Threat Scenario / Attack Path |
|
Potential safety/operational
consequence |
Impact Assessment |
|
Network isolation |
Cybersecurity Concept |
|
Security controls |
Cybersecurity Requirements |
|
Security testing |
Verification/Validation |
|
Vulnerability discovery |
Post-development cybersecurity
activities |
|
Software update |
Cybersecurity maintenance |
|
Recall |
Incident/Vulnerability response |
|
Supplier component |
Supplier Cybersecurity Management |
|
Lessons learned |
Continuous improvement |
19. THE BIGGEST LESSON
"The attack did not begin with the brakes."
It began with connectivity.
Then:
CONNECTIVITY
↓
SOFTWARE
↓
VULNERABILITY
↓
COMPROMISED COMPONENT
↓
NETWORK ACCESS
↓
VEHICLE SYSTEM
↓
PHYSICAL CONSEQUENCE
That is the perfect introduction to cyber-physical risk.
20. PARTICIPANT TAKEAWAY CARD
CONNECTED VEHICLE CYBERSECURITY — 10 QUESTIONS
Before approving a connected automotive system, ask:
☐ 1. What are our external
interfaces?
☐ 2. What assets are
reachable through those interfaces?
☐ 3. What happens if the
connected component is compromised?
☐ 4. What trust boundaries
exist?
☐ 5. Can compromise propagate
to another ECU?
☐ 6. Is the communication
path necessary?
☐ 7. Is the communication
appropriately authenticated/authorised?
☐ 8. Can abnormal behaviour
be detected?
☐ 9. Can the affected
software be updated securely?
☐ 10. Can we demonstrate
evidence that the controls work?
21. FINAL FACILITATOR QUESTION
"If the infotainment system in our next vehicle
programme were completely compromised tomorrow, what could the attacker
reach?"
5 minutes.
"What should the attacker NOT be able to reach—and
what architectural control guarantees that?"
This takes participants from awareness → TARA →
architecture → cybersecurity requirements, which is exactly the behaviour
you want from an ISO/SAE 21434 workshop.
Recommended reference material
The original Miller–Valasek research paper, "Remote
Exploitation of an Unaltered Passenger Vehicle," is particularly
useful for the facilitator because it documents the research methodology and
architecture at a technical level. (IOActive)
The 2015 Black Hat presentation provides the
researchers' own technical presentation of the research and its limitations. (infocondb.org)
For a later reflection, Miller and Valasek's 2025 USENIX
retrospective, "Ten Years After the Jeep Hack," is useful for
discussing what the automotive cybersecurity ecosystem learned during the
decade following the demonstration. (USENIX)
Facilitator safety note: For an OEM classroom, use the case to analyse assets, attack surfaces, trust boundaries, TARA, controls and lifecycle response. Do not reproduce the exploit, scan live vehicles, inject CAN messages into production systems, or attempt remote access to vehicles.
MODULE 2
ISO/SAE 21434 — Understanding the Framework
Duration
45 minutes
Introduce:
Four lifecycle perspectives
1. Concept
↓
2. Product Development
↓
3. Production
↓
4. Operations / Maintenance / Decommissioning
ISO describes the standard as covering the cybersecurity
lifecycle of vehicle E/E systems and their components/interfaces.
ACTIVITY 2
"Where Does Cybersecurity Begin?"
Give teams 10 cards:
- Vehicle
concept
- Supplier
selection
- ECU
design
- Software
development
- Testing
- Production
- Vehicle
delivery
- OTA
update
- Service
centre
- End-of-life
Arrange these cards according to cybersecurity
responsibility.
Cybersecurity is not a testing activity added at the end.
It must be considered throughout the lifecycle.
ISO/SAE 21434 WORKPLACE MAPPING
|
Activity |
Current practice |
Gap |
Owner |
Evidence |
|
Cybersecurity governance |
||||
|
Item definition |
||||
|
TARA |
||||
|
Cybersecurity goals |
||||
|
Requirements |
||||
|
Verification |
||||
|
Validation |
||||
|
Production |
||||
|
Incident response |
||||
|
Supplier management |
Takeaway
Each participant identifies three gaps in their current
project/process.
MODULE 3
AUTOMOTIVE ATTACK SURFACE MAPPING
Duration
60 minutes
Attack surfaces
In automotive cybersecurity, a vehicle is no longer an
isolated mechanical system—it is a connected ecosystem of in-vehicle
networks, external interfaces, software, mobile applications, cloud services,
manufacturing systems, and service tools. Each connection creates an attack
surface that must be identified, assessed, protected, and monitored
throughout the vehicle lifecycle under ISO/SAE 21434. The table below
gives a quick practical understanding of each interface with an automotive
example.
|
Interface / System |
Short Introduction |
Automotive Example |
Cybersecurity Concern |
|
CAN |
Controller Area Network used for
communication between ECUs. |
Engine ECU ↔ Transmission ECU ↔ ABS
ECU |
Unauthorized messages, spoofing, lack
of authentication |
|
CAN-FD |
Enhanced CAN supporting larger data
payloads and higher data rates. |
ADAS, powertrain and body-control
communication |
Message injection, compromised ECU
communication |
|
Ethernet |
High-speed networking used for modern
vehicle systems and diagnostics. |
ADAS cameras, infotainment, gateway,
zonal controllers |
Network intrusion, unauthorized
access, malware |
|
OBD |
On-Board Diagnostics interface used
to access vehicle diagnostic information. |
Technician connects a diagnostic
scanner during service |
Unauthorized diagnostic access, ECU
manipulation |
|
USB |
Physical interface for data transfer,
media and software updates. |
USB drive used to update infotainment
software |
Malicious files, infected USB
devices, unauthorized updates |
|
Bluetooth |
Short-range wireless communication
between vehicle and devices. |
Driver connects smartphone to
infotainment |
Unauthorized pairing, device
compromise, data leakage |
|
Wi-Fi |
Wireless network connectivity for
vehicle occupants and vehicle systems. |
In-car Wi-Fi hotspot or wireless
software update |
Rogue access, credential theft,
network intrusion |
|
Cellular |
Mobile-network connectivity enabling
remote vehicle services. |
Connected vehicle communicates with
OEM cloud through 4G/5G |
Remote attack, unauthorized commands,
service disruption |
|
GNSS |
Satellite-based positioning system
used for navigation and location services. |
GPS/GNSS provides vehicle location to
navigation system |
Spoofing, jamming, manipulated
location data |
|
Keyless Systems |
Electronic systems that authenticate
a key/fob without conventional mechanical keys. |
Passive keyless entry and push-button
start |
Relay attacks, unauthorized vehicle
access |
|
Mobile Apps |
Smartphone applications that allow
owners to interact with vehicles remotely. |
Lock/unlock vehicle or check vehicle
status through an app |
Account takeover, API abuse,
unauthorized commands |
|
Cloud |
Backend infrastructure supporting
connected-vehicle services and data. |
OEM cloud receives vehicle telemetry
and sends authorised services |
API attacks, data breaches, account
compromise |
|
OTA |
Over-the-Air technology for remotely
delivering software/firmware updates. |
OEM remotely updates infotainment or
ECU software |
Malicious update, compromised update
server, rollback attacks |
|
Charging Infrastructure |
EV charging ecosystem connecting
vehicle, charger and backend systems. |
EV communicates with an AC/DC charger
and charging network |
Authentication attacks, charging
manipulation, data exposure |
|
Diagnostic Tools |
Software/hardware used by technicians
to diagnose and configure vehicles. |
Workshop technician uses OEM
diagnostic equipment |
Unauthorized ECU access, credential
misuse |
|
Supplier Software |
Software, firmware or libraries
supplied by Tier-1/Tier-2 vendors. |
Supplier provides ECU firmware to an
OEM |
Vulnerabilities, insecure components,
supply-chain compromise |
|
Manufacturing Equipment |
Production machines and systems that
interact with vehicle ECUs/software. |
ECU programming station flashes
firmware during assembly |
Unauthorized firmware, compromised
programming station |
|
Service Tools |
Tools used during maintenance,
repair, calibration and configuration. |
ADAS calibration or ECU configuration
tool |
Privilege misuse, unauthorized
configuration, infected tools |
A simple way to remember the attack surface
Vehicle Cybersecurity = Inside the Vehicle + Outside the
Vehicle + Vehicle Lifecycle
|
Area |
Examples |
|
Inside Vehicle |
CAN, CAN-FD, Ethernet, ECUs, OBD |
|
Wireless / External |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular, GNSS,
Keyless |
|
Digital Ecosystem |
Mobile Apps, Cloud, OTA |
|
EV Ecosystem |
Charging Infrastructure |
|
Service Lifecycle |
Diagnostic Tools, Service Tools |
|
Supply Chain |
Supplier Software |
|
Manufacturing |
Manufacturing Equipment |
Training takeaway:
“Every interface is a potential entry point; every
connection needs a reason, a boundary, a control and evidence that the control
works.”
This is an excellent starting point for an ISO/SAE 21434
Attack Surface Identification activity: give each participant/team one
interface and ask them to identify Entry Point → Asset → Threat → Attack
Path → Damage Scenario → Cybersecurity Control.
ACTIVITY 3
Attack Surface Bingo
Give participants a vehicle architecture.
They have 10 minutes to identify:
- 5
external interfaces
- 5
internal interfaces
- 3
trust boundaries
- 3
high-value assets
- 3
possible attack paths
- 3
security controls
First team completing the matrix gets a "Cybersecurity
Architect" challenge card.
WORKSHEET — ATTACK SURFACE MAP
|
Component |
Interface |
Connected to |
Trust Level |
Potential Threat |
|
TCU |
Cellular |
Cloud |
External |
|
|
Infotainment |
Bluetooth |
Mobile |
External |
|
|
Gateway |
CAN |
ECU |
Internal |
|
|
ADAS ECU |
Ethernet |
Sensor |
Internal |
|
|
OTA Server |
Internet |
Vehicle |
External |
MODULE 4
ITEM DEFINITION
Duration
60 minutes
This is one of the most important practical exercises.
Participants select one vehicle function.
Recommended options:
Team A - Connected infotainment
Team B – ADAS - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which are electronic
safety technologies in modern cars designed to prevent crashes by helping
drivers sense hazards or taking automated action
Team C - Digital key
Team D - Battery Management System
Team E - OTA update An over-the-air
(OTA) update is the wireless delivery of new software, firmware, or
operating system upgrades to a device via Wi-Fi or cellular networks
Team F – Telematics (Telematics is the integration of
telecommunications and informatics (computer science) used to monitor, send,
and analyze data from remote assets like cars and trucks)
HANDS-ON EXERCISE
Build an Item Definition
Each team documents:
1. Item - Connected
Vehicle Telematics System
2. Function What does it do?
3. Components What ECUs/components are involved?
4. Interfaces What communicates with it?
5. Assets What needs protection?
6. Communication paths How does information flow?
7. Dependencies What external systems are required?
ITEM DEFINITION WORKSHEET
|
Question |
Team Answer |
|
What is the item? |
|
|
What function does it provide? |
|
|
Which ECUs are involved? |
|
|
Which sensors? |
|
|
Which networks? |
|
|
Which external interfaces? |
|
|
Which cloud systems? |
|
|
Which mobile applications? |
|
|
Which suppliers? |
|
|
What are the critical assets? |
MODULE 5
ASSET IDENTIFICATION & DAMAGE SCENARIOS
Duration
60 minutes
CIA + Authenticity + Accountability
Participants identify:
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Availability
- Authenticity
- Traceability/accountability
ACTIVITY 4
"What Happens If This Is Compromised?"
Asset: Vehicle Speed Signal
What happens if an attacker modifies it?
Asset: Battery SOC
What happens if incorrect information is injected?
Asset: OTA Package
What happens if it is modified?
Asset: Digital Key
What happens if authentication is bypassed?
DAMAGE SCENARIO WORKSHEET
|
Asset |
Compromise |
Possible consequence |
|
Speed information |
Integrity loss |
Incorrect vehicle behaviour |
|
OTA package |
Integrity loss |
Unauthorized software |
|
Digital key |
Authenticity loss |
Unauthorized access |
|
Battery data |
Integrity loss |
Incorrect energy management |
|
Location |
Confidentiality loss |
Privacy exposure |
MODULE 6
TARA — THREAT ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Duration 90 minutes
Recent automotive research continues to focus on improving
TARA scalability and consistency. For example, a 2026 SAE paper from
researchers associated with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Elxsi
proposed a modular approach called MOSAIC-TARA to make TARA more
reusable across ECUs, domains and vehicle platforms. (SAE
Mobilus)
TARA STEP-BY-STEP
STEP 1 Identify asset.
STEP 2 Identify damage scenario.
STEP 3 Identify threat scenario.
STEP 4 Identify attack path.
STEP 5 Evaluate impact.
STEP 6 Evaluate attack feasibility.
STEP 7 Determine risk.
STEP 8 Define treatment.
STEP 9 Define cybersecurity goal.
STEP 10 Trace to cybersecurity requirements.
HANDS-ON TARA CASE
CASE:OTA Software Update
Asset: Vehicle software image
Threat: Unauthorized modification of software package.
Possible attack path:
Attacker
↓
Compromised Credential
↓
Backend
↓
OTA Infrastructure
↓
Vehicle
↓
ECU
Teams determine:
- Damage
scenario
- Impact
- Attack
feasibility
- Risk
- Treatment
- Cybersecurity
goal
TARA WORKSHEET
|
Field |
Participant Response |
|
Asset |
|
|
Damage scenario |
|
|
Threat scenario |
|
|
Attack path |
|
|
Impact |
|
|
Attack feasibility |
|
|
Risk |
|
|
Treatment |
|
|
Cybersecurity goal |
|
|
Security requirement |
|
|
Verification method |
MODULE 7
RISK TREATMENT
Duration 45 minutes
AVOID Remove the risky function/interface.
REDUCE Add security controls.
TRANSFER Shift responsibility through
contractual/supplier arrangements.
ACCEPT Accept residual risk based on documented
decision authority.
ACTIVITY 5
Cybersecurity Board Meeting
Give each team a TARA.
One participant becomes:
Cybersecurity Manager
Product Manager
Engineering Manager
Cost Controller
Safety Representative
Supplier
They must negotiate:
What should we do with this cybersecurity risk?
This develops the real-world skill of risk-based decision
making rather than simply filling a TARA spreadsheet.
DAY 1 FINAL CHALLENGE
"Secure This Vehicle"
Each team receives:
A connected vehicle launching in six months.
Given:
- 80
ECUs
- OTA
- Smartphone
application
- Cloud
connectivity
- ADAS
- Digital
key
- EV
battery
- Multiple
Tier-1 suppliers
20 minutes to identify:
Top 5 cybersecurity concerns and Top 5 actions
before SOP.
DAY 1 KEY TAKEAWAYS
☐ Attack Surface Map
☐ Item Definition
☐ Asset Register
☐ Damage Scenario Register
☐ TARA Worksheet
☐ Risk Treatment Matrix
☐ Cybersecurity Gap List
DAY 2
FROM TARA TO CYBERSECURITY ENGINEERING &
IMPLEMENTATION
DAY 2 FLOW
|
Time |
Module |
|
09:00–09:20 |
Day 1 Recap |
|
09:20–10:20 |
8. Cybersecurity Goals &
Requirements |
|
10:20–11:15 |
9. Cybersecurity Concept &
Architecture |
|
11:15–11:30 |
Break |
|
11:30–12:30 |
10. Secure Development &
Verification |
|
12:30–13:15 |
11. Supplier Cybersecurity |
|
13:15–14:00 |
Lunch |
|
14:00–15:00 |
12. OTA & Software Update
Security |
|
15:00–15:45 |
13. Vulnerability & Incident
Management |
|
15:45–16:00 |
Break |
|
16:00–16:45 |
14. Production & Operations |
|
16:45–17:20 |
15. UN R155/R156 + Cybersecurity
Management |
|
17:20–18:00 |
16. 60-Day Implementation Roadmap +
Capstone |
MODULE 8
CYBERSECURITY GOALS & REQUIREMENTS
Duration 60 minutes
Threat
↓
Risk
↓
Cybersecurity Goal
↓
Cybersecurity Requirement
↓
Technical Implementation
↓
Verification
ACTIVITY 6
Requirement Writing Challenge
"The system must be secure."
"The ECU should have good authentication."
"The software should prevent hacking."
Teams rewrite them into:
specific + testable + traceable requirements.
REQUIREMENT WORKSHEET
|
Threat |
Cybersecurity Goal |
Requirement |
Verification |
|
Unauthorized ECU access |
Prevent unauthorized access |
||
|
Modified OTA package |
Ensure software integrity |
||
|
Diagnostic abuse |
Restrict diagnostic access |
||
|
Credential compromise |
Protect authentication |
MODULE 9
CYBERSECURITY ARCHITECTURE
Duration 60 minutes
Discuss:
- Secure
gateway
- Segmentation
- Secure
communication
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Cryptography
- Secure
boot
- Hardware
Security Module
- Intrusion
Detection
- Logging
- Key
management
- Certificate
management
- Firewalling
- Secure
diagnostics
ACTIVITY 7
DESIGN A SECURE VEHICLE
Components
Here is a simple, training-friendly version you can
use directly in your ISO/SAE 21434 automotive cybersecurity module:
|
Component / System |
Short Definition |
Automotive Example |
Cybersecurity Relevance |
|
TCU |
Telematics Control Unit –
connects the vehicle to external networks such as cellular and cloud
services. |
Sends vehicle location and diagnostic
data to the OEM cloud through 4G/5G. |
Remote access, authentication, data
protection, cellular attack surface |
|
Gateway |
A network controller that manages and
filters communication between different vehicle networks. |
Allows selected messages to pass
between CAN and Ethernet networks. |
Critical security boundary;
message filtering, segmentation and access control |
|
ADAS ECU |
Electronic Control Unit responsible
for Advanced Driver Assistance System functions. |
Processes radar/camera inputs for
Adaptive Cruise Control or Lane Keeping Assist. |
Sensor spoofing, malicious inputs,
unauthorized commands, data integrity |
|
Infotainment |
Vehicle system providing
entertainment, navigation, connectivity and driver/passenger information. |
Touchscreen system providing
navigation, music, Bluetooth and smartphone integration. |
Large attack surface through USB,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity |
|
Powertrain ECU |
ECU that controls or manages vehicle
propulsion-related functions. |
Engine ECU controls fuel injection,
ignition and engine operation. |
Unauthorized commands could affect
vehicle performance or availability |
|
BMS |
Battery Management System –
monitors and controls an EV's battery system. |
Monitors battery voltage,
temperature, State of Charge (SoC) and charging conditions. |
Manipulated battery data,
unauthorized commands, charging and safety impacts |
|
Cloud |
Remote computing infrastructure that
stores, processes and exchanges vehicle-related data and services. |
OEM cloud receives vehicle telemetry
and supports connected-car services. |
API security, authentication, data
protection and unauthorized remote access |
|
Mobile App |
Smartphone application that allows
users to access vehicle-related services remotely. |
Owner checks battery status or
locks/unlocks the vehicle using a smartphone. |
Account takeover, insecure APIs,
unauthorized vehicle commands and privacy risks |
Mobile App → Cloud → Cellular → TCU → Gateway → Vehicle
ECUs
For example:
“A simple mobile-app command such as ‘check vehicle
status’ may travel through several connected components before reaching the
vehicle. Each connection and trust boundary must therefore be considered during
cybersecurity analysis.”
Key training question:
If the infotainment system or TCU is compromised, what should the attacker not
be able to reach—and which gateway/security control prevents that?
Teams design:
A cybersecurity architecture that limits the attacker's
movement.
RED TEAM vs BLUE TEAM
Red Team
Identifies:
- Attack
paths
- Weak
trust boundaries
- Single
points of failure
- Excessive
privileges
- Unprotected
interfaces
Blue Team
Designs:
- Segmentation
- Authentication
- Monitoring
- Access
controls
- Detection
- Recovery
This can be performed entirely on a paper/simulation
architecture, avoiding live vehicle exploitation.
MODULE 10
SECURE DEVELOPMENT, VERIFICATION & VALIDATION
Key concepts
Here is a short, training-friendly table for these
automotive cybersecurity verification and testing techniques:
|
Technique |
Short Definition |
Automotive Example |
Main Purpose |
|
Secure Coding |
Developing software using practices
that prevent common security weaknesses. |
ECU software validates inputs before
processing CAN/Ethernet data. |
Prevent vulnerabilities at the source |
|
Static Analysis |
Examining source code or binaries without
executing the software. |
Tool detects buffer overflow or
insecure function usage in ECU code. |
Find coding weaknesses early |
|
Dynamic Analysis |
Testing software while it is
running to identify abnormal or vulnerable behaviour. |
Monitor an infotainment application
while feeding different inputs. |
Detect runtime security problems |
|
Code Review |
Human examination of code to identify
security, quality and design issues. |
Cybersecurity engineer reviews
authentication and access-control code in a TCU. |
Identify issues automated tools may
miss |
|
Vulnerability Scanning |
Automatically checking systems,
software or components for known vulnerabilities. |
Scan an automotive Ethernet system
for known vulnerable services or libraries. |
Identify known weaknesses |
|
Penetration Testing |
Controlled security testing that
attempts to exploit identified weaknesses within an authorized test
environment. |
Security testers assess whether an
infotainment interface can be abused to cross a network boundary. |
Validate real-world security
resilience |
|
Fuzz Testing |
Sending large amounts of unexpected,
malformed or randomised inputs to discover failures. |
Send malformed diagnostic or network
messages to an ECU in a test bench. |
Find crashes, unexpected behaviour
and input-handling weaknesses |
|
Interface Testing |
Testing communication interfaces to
ensure only expected and authorized interactions occur. |
Verify that a diagnostic interface
cannot access functions outside its permitted scope. |
Validate interface security and
boundaries |
|
Security Requirements Verification |
Checking that implemented
software/system controls satisfy defined cybersecurity requirements. |
Requirement: “Only authenticated
users can initiate a software update.” Test whether the control works as
specified. |
Demonstrate requirements are actually
implemented |
|
Regression Testing |
Re-testing previously verified
functionality after changes to ensure security controls have not been broken. |
After an ECU firmware update, repeat
authentication, access-control and communication-security tests. |
Prevent previously fixed
vulnerabilities from returning |
Easy way to remember the sequence
Prevent → Inspect → Review → Scan → Attack → Stress →
Verify → Re-test
- Secure
Coding → Prevent
- Static
Analysis → Inspect code
- Code
Review → Human review
- Vulnerability
Scanning → Find known weaknesses
- Penetration
Testing → Controlled attack simulation
- Fuzz
Testing → Stress with unexpected inputs
- Interface
Testing → Test boundaries
- Security
Requirements Verification → Confirm requirements
- Regression
Testing → Make sure fixes stay fixed
Training takeaway:
“Finding a vulnerability is not the finish
line—verification must demonstrate that the risk has been addressed and remains
addressed after every change.”
HANDS-ON
"Find the Cybersecurity Defect"
Provide participants with a fictional ECU development
package containing:
- Architecture
- Requirements
- Interface
list
- Test
cases
- Supplier
declaration
Teams identify:
☐ Missing requirement
☐ Missing authentication
☐ Excessive privilege
☐ Unprotected interface
☐ Missing logging
☐ Missing test case
☐ Unclear ownership
☐ Supplier evidence gap
MODULE 11
SUPPLIER & SUPPLY-CHAIN CYBERSECURITY
OEM → Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Software supplier → Open-source
software → Cloud
Supplier cybersecurity checklist
☐ Supplier TARA available
☐ Item definition available
☐ Cybersecurity goals defined
☐ Security requirements traced
☐ Vulnerability management process
☐ SBOM availability
☐ Secure development evidence
☐ Security testing evidence
☐ Incident notification process
☐ Patch management
☐ Access control
☐ Cryptographic key management
☐ End-of-life plan
CASE STUDY
Supplier Software Compromise
Scenario:
A Tier-1 supplier provides an ECU.
Three months before SOP:
A critical vulnerability is discovered in a third-party
software component.
Ask:
What happens?
Participants must determine:
- Who
must be informed?
- Who
owns the risk?
- How
is the vulnerability assessed?
- Is
the ECU affected?
- Is
the vehicle affected?
- Does
software need modification?
- How
is the change verified?
- What
evidence must be retained?
MODULE 12
OTA CYBERSECURITY
Duration 60 minutes
A 2026 SAE technical paper specifically examines
cybersecurity of automotive OTA update systems and software stores in relation
to ISO/SAE 21434, UN R155 and UN R156, including Uptane-based approaches. (SAE
Mobilus)
ACTIVITY 8
"Secure the OTA Pipeline"
Developer
↓
Build System
↓
Software Repository
↓
Release
↓
OTA Server
↓
Vehicle
↓
ECU
Where could an attacker interfere?
Then identify controls at every stage.
OTA SECURITY CHECKLIST
Development
☐ Source control
☐ Developer authentication
☐ Code review
☐ Build security
Release
☐ Signing
☐ Integrity verification
☐ Version control
Distribution
☐ Authentication
☐ Authorization
☐ Secure communication
Vehicle
☐ Package verification
☐ Secure installation
☐ Rollback/recovery
☐ Logging
MODULE 13
VULNERABILITY & INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
Scenario
A researcher reports a vulnerability affecting an ECU
already installed in 250,000 vehicles.
Teams develop:
FIRST 24 HOURS
☐ Validate report
☐ Identify affected component
☐ Establish incident team
☐ Assess severity
☐ Identify affected vehicles
☐ Freeze relevant releases if necessary
☐ Start supplier coordination
FIRST 7 DAYS
☐ Root cause
☐ TARA reassessment
☐ Mitigation
☐ Patch development
☐ Test
☐ Deployment plan
LONGER TERM
☐ Lessons learned
☐ Update cybersecurity knowledge
☐ Update requirements
☐ Update TARA
☐ Update architecture/process
MODULE 14
PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS
Manufacturing Attack Surfaces in Automotive Cybersecurity
Automotive cybersecurity does not stop at the vehicle. Manufacturing
and production environments can become attack paths into vehicle software,
ECUs, production systems, and intellectual property. A compromised
programming station, engineering laptop, supplier connection, or calibration
system could potentially introduce malicious or unauthorized changes during
vehicle production. Therefore, manufacturing cybersecurity should be considered
as part of the vehicle's broader cybersecurity lifecycle.
|
Manufacturing Attack Surface |
Short Definition |
Automotive Example |
Key Cybersecurity Concern |
|
Programming Stations |
Systems used to load software or
configuration into vehicle ECUs during production. |
Station programs firmware into an
engine or body-control ECU. |
Unauthorized or malicious firmware |
|
ECU Flashing |
Process of installing or updating ECU
firmware/software. |
Production line flashes approved
software into 500 ECUs. |
Wrong, outdated or tampered software |
|
Diagnostic Tools |
Tools used to diagnose, configure or
communicate with vehicle systems. |
Technician uses an OEM diagnostic
device to configure an ECU. |
Unauthorized commands or access |
|
Production Networks |
Networks connecting manufacturing
machines, computers, PLCs and production systems. |
Factory Ethernet connects
assembly-line controllers and servers. |
Lateral movement and production
disruption |
|
Engineering Laptops |
Computers used by engineers for
development, testing, configuration and troubleshooting. |
Engineer connects a laptop to an ECU
test environment. |
Malware, credentials and sensitive
data exposure |
|
USB Devices |
Removable storage used to transfer
software, configuration files or data. |
USB drive transfers ECU calibration
data to a production station. |
Malware or unauthorized files |
|
Supplier Connections |
Digital connections between OEM
facilities and suppliers. |
Tier-1 supplier remotely provides
software or production support. |
Supply-chain compromise and
unauthorized access |
|
MES |
Manufacturing Execution System
that monitors and manages production activities. |
MES tracks vehicle build status and
ECU programming results. |
Unauthorized access, data
manipulation or production disruption |
|
Manufacturing Servers |
Servers supporting production
applications, software repositories and manufacturing data. |
Server stores approved ECU firmware
packages. |
Firmware tampering, ransomware, data
theft |
|
Test Equipment |
Equipment used to test vehicle
components and systems during manufacturing. |
End-of-line tester verifies ECU
communication and functionality. |
Unauthorized test commands or
compromised equipment |
|
Calibration Systems |
Systems used to configure and
calibrate vehicle components or ECUs. |
ADAS calibration equipment configures
camera/radar parameters. |
Incorrect or unauthorized calibration |
Simple Attack Path
A useful training scenario is:
Supplier Software → Manufacturing Server → Programming
Station → ECU Flashing → Vehicle
Ask participants:
“If an attacker compromises the manufacturing
environment, what could potentially reach the vehicle—and where should we place
controls to stop the attack?”
Manufacturing Cybersecurity Control Points
|
Stage |
Example Control |
|
Software received |
Supplier verification + digital
signatures |
|
Software stored |
Access control + integrity protection |
|
Software transferred |
Secure communication + authentication |
|
ECU flashing |
Authorised programming + firmware
validation |
|
Production network |
Network segmentation |
|
USB usage |
Controlled/approved removable media |
|
Engineering laptops |
Endpoint protection + least privilege |
|
Supplier access |
MFA + restricted access + monitoring |
|
Calibration |
Authorised configurations + change
control |
|
Final vehicle |
Software integrity verification +
production cybersecurity records |
Key message for ISO/SAE 21434 training:
“The vehicle can inherit cybersecurity risk from the
factory. Secure the software before it becomes part of the vehicle.”
ACTIVITY 9
"Secure the Production Line"
Scenario:
An operator uses a USB device to update ECU software during
production.
Teams identify:
Risks
- Malware
- Wrong
software version
- Unauthorized
software
- Credential
compromise
- Configuration
error
- Production
disruption
Controls
☐ Approved media
☐ Access control
☐ Software verification
☐ Version control
☐ Logging
☐ Segmentation
☐ Endpoint protection
☐ Change control
MODULE 15
ISO/SAE 21434 + UN R155/R156
(UNECE)
IMPORTANT 2026 INDIA CASE
A very relevant discussion case for an Indian OEM is the
July 2026 report that India's Ministry of Heavy Industries urged automobile and
parts manufacturers to audit connected-vehicle and EV software/devices, with
particular attention reported around battery communication interfaces, weak
authentication, unsecured defaults and OTA pathways. (Business
Standard)
Workshop question
"If your organisation received such an advisory
tomorrow, what evidence would you need to produce?"
Participants create:
Cybersecurity Evidence Pack
MODULE 16
CYBERSECURITY CAPSTONE
"90-DAY VEHICLE CYBERSECURITY LAUNCH"
Each team receives this situation:
Your company is launching a connected EV platform in 90
days.
Architecture includes:
- ADAS
- OTA
- TCU
- Mobile
application
- Cloud
- BMS
- Digital
key
- Infotainment
- Multiple
Tier-1 suppliers
Teams must produce:
Deliverable 1 Attack Surface Map
Deliverable 2 Item Definition
Deliverable 3 Top 10 Assets
Deliverable 4 Top 5 Damage Scenarios
Deliverable 5 TARA
Deliverable 6 Top Cybersecurity Goals
Deliverable 7 Top Cybersecurity Requirements
Deliverable 8 Security Architecture
Deliverable 9 Supplier Controls
Deliverable 10 Incident Response Plan
Deliverable 11 OTA Security Plan
Deliverable 12 90-Day Action Plan
PARTICIPANT TAKEAWAY KIT
1. Automotive Cybersecurity Daily Checklist
Before starting work
☐ What asset am I protecting?
☐ What interface am I working
on?
☐ Who can access it?
☐ What happens if integrity is
compromised?
☐ What happens if availability
is lost?
☐ What external dependency
exists?
☐ What supplier is involved?
☐ Has the cybersecurity
requirement changed?
DAILY CYBERSECURITY "5 QUESTIONS"
Participants can use this every day:
1. ASSET What am I protecting?
2. ENTRY How can someone reach it?
3. IMPACT What happens if it is compromised?
4. CONTROL What prevents/detects/reduces the risk?
5. EVIDENCE Can I prove that the control works?
A very practical behavioural takeaway.
CYBERSECURITY PROJECT GATE CHECKLIST
☐ Item Definition complete
☐ Asset identification complete
☐ TARA complete
☐ Cybersecurity goals approved
☐ Cybersecurity requirements
defined
☐ Architecture reviewed
☐ Supplier requirements
communicated
☐ Security implementation
verified
☐ Testing completed
☐ Vulnerabilities addressed
☐ Residual risk documented
☐ Cybersecurity case/evidence
completed
IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP
IMMEDIATE — WITHIN 24–48 HOURS
Every participant selects one real project/system.
Action 1 Identify one asset.
Action 2 Identify its interfaces.
Action 3 Identify one damage scenario.
Action 4 Identify one threat scenario.
Action 5 Identify one existing control.
Action 6 Identify one gap.
Action 7 Assign an owner.
15-DAY ROADMAP
Individual
☐ Complete attack-surface map
☐ Complete preliminary asset
register
☐ Conduct mini-TARA
☐ Identify top 5 cybersecurity
risks
☐ Review supplier dependencies
Team
☐ Conduct cybersecurity review
meeting
☐ Identify missing requirements
☐ Identify missing evidence
☐ Review access controls
30-DAY ROADMAP
Engineering
☐ Complete formal TARA
☐ Review architecture
☐ Map cybersecurity goals
☐ Trace requirements
☐ Identify security test cases
Supplier Management
☐ Review supplier cybersecurity
evidence
☐ Identify supplier gaps
☐ Establish vulnerability
notification process
60-DAY ROADMAP
Organisation
☐ Establish cybersecurity
governance
☐ Establish project
cybersecurity gates
☐ Standardise TARA templates
☐ Establish supplier
cybersecurity checklist
☐ Establish
vulnerability-management workflow
☐ Establish incident-response
workflow
☐ Create cybersecurity evidence
repository
☐ Conduct cybersecurity
awareness sessions
ONGOING
MONTHLY
☐ Vulnerability review
☐ Open-risk review
☐ Supplier cybersecurity review
☐ Incident review
☐ New threat review
☐ Security testing status
QUARTERLY
☐ TARA reassessment
☐ Architecture review
☐ Cybersecurity maturity
assessment
☐ Supplier assessment
☐ Incident simulation
☐ OTA security review
☐ Lessons learned
ANNUALLY
☐ Cybersecurity governance
review
☐ Organisation-wide assessment
☐ Training refresh
☐ Threat landscape review
☐ Incident-response exercise
☐ Lifecycle/decommissioning
review
"CYBERSECURITY GEAR SHIFT"
G — GOVERN Cybersecurity governance
E — EXAMINE Attack surface + assets
A — ASSESS TARA
R — RESPOND Risk treatment
S — SECURE Requirements + architecture
H — HARDEN Implementation + testing
I — IDENTIFY Monitoring + vulnerabilities
F — FIX Incident response
T — TRACE Evidence + continuous improvement
GEAR SHIFT = move cybersecurity from theory into
engineering practice.
MOVIES / CINEMA AS TRAINING TRIGGERS
1. 2.0 — Indian/Tamil Cinema
Use the technology/AI theme to ask:
"What happens when an intelligent connected system
behaves outside its intended boundaries?"
Connect to:
- Connected
systems
- AI
- Autonomous
behaviour
- Trust
- System
control
·
This is a particularly good transition into ISO
26262 + ISO/SAE 21434.
2. Enthiran / Robot
Use selected technology-related scenes to introduce:
"Technology capability ≠ technology security."
Discussion:
What happens when capability increases faster than
governance?
3. Irumbu Thirai
Useful for:
- Identity
- Digital
information
- Cybercrime
- Social
engineering
- Data
protection
"Where is the weakest link—the technology or the
human?"
4. Kee
Useful for:
- Connected
devices
- AI
- Digital
identity
- Cyberattack
concepts
5. Bollywood: 2.0 / technology-focused cinema
The broader technology theme can be used to introduce:
"As vehicles become software-defined, cybersecurity
becomes a product characteristic."
OPTIONAL HOLLYWOOD CLIPS
For vehicle-specific cybersecurity, Fast & Furious 8
provides a highly recognizable visual trigger involving connected vehicles
being manipulated remotely.
Don't present the movie scenario as technically accurate.
Ask:
"Which parts are Hollywood fiction and which
underlying attack concepts are realistic?"
This makes a very engaging cybersecurity discussion.
NEWS & CURRENT INDUSTRY CASES
CASE 1 — INDIA: CONNECTED VEHICLES
The July 2026 Indian government/OEM advisory reported by
Business Standard is particularly relevant for this audience because it
connects cybersecurity directly to India's automotive industry, including
connected vehicles and EVs. (Business
Standard)
Classroom question
"If our OEM were asked to audit every connected
vehicle today, where would we start?"
CASE 2 — CYBER RESILIENCE IN INDIA
Deloitte India announced ConnectSafe in March 2026,
describing a facility designed to simulate cyber threats across connected
ecosystems including automotive and industrial environments. (Deloitte)
Discussion
Ask:
Prevention alone or resilience?
Then introduce:
Prevent → Detect → Respond → Recover → Learn
RESEARCH PAPERS FOR ADVANCED PARTICIPANTS
These are particularly useful as post-training reading.
1. MOSAIC-TARA — 2026
Goyal et al., Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles / Tata Elxsi
A modular TARA methodology intended to improve scalability
and reuse across ECUs and vehicle platforms. (SAE
Mobilus)
Excellent for:
Advanced TARA workshop
2. Automotive OTA Cybersecurity — 2026
Cybersecurity in Automotive OTA Update Systems and
Automotive Software Stores
Useful for:
- OTA
- Software
update security
- Uptane
- R155
- R156
- Attack
vectors
3. TARA 2.0 — IEEE
Research on Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment for
connected and automated vehicles, including challenges associated with highly
automated vehicles. (IEEE
Xplore)
Excellent for:
Advanced TARA discussion
4. STRIDE-based automotive cybersecurity
A 2023 Computers & Security study applied STRIDE,
attack-tree analysis and CVSS to automotive scenarios, including ADAS. (ScienceDirect)
Excellent exercise:
STRIDE vs TARA
5. Enhanced TARA for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
A 2025 Expert Systems with Applications paper
examined an enhanced TARA approach for heavy-duty vehicles using fuzzy analytic
hierarchy methods. (ScienceDirect)
Useful if the organisation has:
- Trucks
- Buses
- Commercial
vehicles
6. CyberROAD
Research on an automotive cybersecurity risk-assessment
ontology aligned with ISO/SAE 21434:2021. (ScienceDirect)
7. Supplier/OEM TARA Orchestration
A 2026 paper examines coordination of TARA across vehicle
manufacturers and suppliers in software-defined vehicles. (ScienceDirect)
This is particularly valuable for an OEM because
cybersecurity does not stop at the OEM boundary.
ADVANCED ACTIVITY
OEM vs TIER-1 CYBERSECURITY NEGOTIATION
Scenario
OEM says: "Your ECU has a cybersecurity risk."
Supplier says: "Our ECU is secure. The problem is the
vehicle architecture."
Participants are divided into:
OEM Cybersecurity
Tier-1 Supplier
Vehicle Architecture
Functional Safety
Quality
Project Management
You must resolve:
- Who
owns the risk?
- What
evidence is required?
- What
changes are needed?
- What
residual risk remains?
- Who
signs off?
This directly mirrors the collaborative reality of modern
vehicle cybersecurity.
FINAL PARTICIPANT WORKSHEET
MY 60-DAY CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT
My project/system: ______________________
Asset: ______________________
Biggest cybersecurity risk: ______________________
Current control: ______________________
Gap: ______________________
Action: ______________________
Owner: ______________________
Deadline: ______________________
24–48 hours
15 days
30 days
60 days
Ongoing
FINAL "TAKE BACK TO WORK" CARD
Give every participant a one-page card:
BEFORE I DESIGN - Have I identified the assets?
BEFORE I CONNECT - Have I identified the attack surface?
BEFORE I RELEASE - Have I completed TARA?
BEFORE I APPROVE - Are cybersecurity requirements
verified?
BEFORE SOP - Is residual risk documented?
AFTER SOP - How will we monitor vulnerabilities?
AFTER AN INCIDENT - What did we learn?
THE BIG MESSAGE OF THE TWO DAYS
The key behavioural change should be:
Don't ask only, "Is the vehicle working?"
Ask "Can the vehicle continue to perform its intended function when its
digital environment is under attack?"
That is the mindset shift I would want the participants to
take back to the engineering floor.
1. Hollywood Movies
|
Movie |
Year |
Training Connection |
Suggested Discussion |
|
2003 |
Connected/vehicle manipulation and
technology |
How can vehicle systems become attack
surfaces? |
|
|
2017 |
Connected cars remotely manipulated |
Which parts are Hollywood fiction and
which attack concepts are realistic? |
|
|
Blackhat |
2015 |
Cyberattack, critical infrastructure,
malware |
Attack → impact → response |
|
Eagle Eye |
2008 |
Connected systems, surveillance,
remote control |
What happens when interconnected
systems are compromised? |
|
Live Free or Die Hard |
2007 |
Cyberattack against critical
infrastructure |
Cybersecurity as a
national/industrial resilience issue |
|
Enemy of the State |
1998 |
Surveillance, tracking and privacy |
Confidentiality and privacy of
vehicle-generated data |
|
The Net |
1995 |
Identity theft and digital identity |
Authentication and identity
management |
|
Hackers |
1995 |
Hacking culture and social
engineering |
Human factor in cybersecurity |
|
Sneakers |
1992 |
Security testing and trust |
Ethical security testing |
|
Swordfish |
2001 |
Social engineering and cybercrime |
Attack chain and human
vulnerabilities |
|
Mission: Impossible – Ghost
Protocol |
2011 |
Connected technology / infrastructure |
Technology dependency and cascading
failures |
|
Minority Report |
2002 |
Autonomous/connected systems |
Trust in automated systems |
|
I, Robot |
2004 |
AI, autonomous systems, human-machine
trust |
Safety vs security vs autonomy |
|
Upgrade |
2018 |
Connected vehicle / embedded
technology |
What if control of an embedded system
is compromised? |
⭐ Best 5 for your programme
I would actually use only these five rather than showing too
many:
Fast & Furious 8 → connected vehicles
Blackhat → attack lifecycle
Eagle Eye → interconnected systems
I, Robot → autonomous systems
Sneakers → security testing
2. Bollywood / Indian Cinema
1. A Wednesday!
Connection
Cyber/terrorism/security mindset and threat response.
Activity
Show a short relevant scene and ask:
"If the threat were digital instead of physical,
what would our incident-response process look like?"
2. Special 26
Connection
Social engineering, deception and human vulnerability.
Training topic
"The weakest link may not always be the
technology."
Use it when introducing:
- Social
engineering
- Insider
threats
- Authentication
- Human
factors
3. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
Not directly a cybersecurity movie, but selected scenes can
be used for a different discussion:
"What happens when a system behaves outside the
assumptions made by its designer?"
Useful as a bridge into assumptions, unintended behaviour
and risk analysis.
4. Irumbu Thirai
⭐ Strongest Indian cybersecurity
choice
This is particularly suitable for your training.
The film directly deals with data theft, hacking and
digital crime; contemporary coverage described it as bringing data-theft
issues into mainstream Tamil cinema. (India
Today)
Use it for:
- Data
protection
- Social
engineering
- Identity
- Credential
theft
- Human
vulnerabilities
- Cybercrime
Activity
Ask:
"If this attack happened through a connected vehicle
ecosystem, which assets could be compromised?"
5. Kee
Connection
Connected technology, AI, hacking and digital manipulation.
Training question
"What happens when connectivity is designed without
sufficient cybersecurity?"
6. Anegan / other technology-related Indian cinema
Use selectively for discussions around:
- Identity
- Data
- Technology
dependence
- Human
behaviour
Recommended Cinema Exercise
Don't simply play movie clips.
Use the:
"HOLLYWOOD vs ISO/SAE 21434" GAME
Show a 2–3 minute scene.
Then give teams this worksheet:
|
Movie Event |
ISO/SAE 21434 Question |
|
System is accessed |
What is the attack surface? |
|
Attacker gains access |
What asset is compromised? |
|
System behaviour changes |
What is the damage scenario? |
|
Attack propagates |
What is the attack path? |
|
Vehicle/system affected |
What is the impact? |
|
Defence activated |
What cybersecurity control is
required? |
|
Recovery |
How do we restore trust? |
This converts entertainment into a TARA exercise.
3. Current Indian Automotive Cybersecurity News
News Case 1 — India's Centre asks OEMs to audit connected
vehicles
Business Standard — July 7, 2026
This is probably the single most relevant current news
article for your Indian OEM audience.
Business Standard reported that the Ministry of Heavy
Industries had asked automobile and component manufacturers to audit software
and devices controlling connected cars and EVs. The report specifically
mentioned concerns around battery communication interfaces, unsecured
defaults, weak authentication and unprotected OTA pathways. (Business
Standard)
Training module
TARA + Attack Surface
Participant question
"If our organisation received this advisory today,
what would we audit first?"
Teams produce:
10-point Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Audit Checklist
News Case 2 — India's proposed automotive cybersecurity
framework
Economic Times / ETAuto — June 2026
A proposed Indian regulatory roadmap reported by ETAuto
describes phased cybersecurity and software-update requirements, including
requirements for governance, risk assessment, monitoring and secure updates.
The reported roadmap includes increasingly broad coverage of OTA-enabled and
other vehicles through 2029. (ETAuto.com)
Training module
ISO/SAE 21434 + R155/R156 + Indian regulatory
preparedness
Activity
Ask:
"Are we designing cybersecurity for today's
vehicle—or the vehicle that will be on the road five years from now?"
News Case 3 — Who Really Secures Your EV?
Autocar Professional — September 15, 2026
A very recent discussion involving Simple Energy and
HackersEra examines how cybersecurity responsibility extends beyond the OEM to Tier-1
suppliers, software partners and charging infrastructure providers. It also
discusses ISO 21434, UN R155 and the growing importance of continuous
monitoring. (Autocar
Professional)
Training module
Supplier Cybersecurity
Role play
Divide participants into:
- OEM
- Tier-1
- Tier-2
- Software
supplier
- Cloud
provider
- Charging
infrastructure provider
Question:
"Who owns the cybersecurity risk?"
This is an excellent senior-management exercise.
News Case 4 — Connected Vehicle Attack Surface
Use the Indian connected-car ecosystem as the case:
Vehicle → TCU → Cellular → Cloud → Mobile App → User
The July 2026 Business Standard report provides a
particularly useful Indian context because it identifies connected services and
remote vehicle functions as growing areas of exposure. (Business
Standard)
Exercise
Participants identify:
6 attack surfaces
5 assets
3 damage scenarios
3 cybersecurity goals
4. Research Papers — Highly Relevant
Paper 1 — Automotive OTA Security
Cybersecurity in Automotive OTA Update Systems and
Automotive Software Stores
SAE Technical Paper 2026-26-0621
Published January 2026.
This paper examines:
- Automotive
OTA
- ISO/SAE
21434
- UN
R155
- UN
R156
- Uptane
- OTA
threat models
- Attack
vectors
- Mitigation
strategies
Use in training
Module: OTA Cybersecurity
Participant exercise
Map the attack surface of an OTA update pipeline.
Paper 2 — PeTARA
PeTARA: A privacy-enhanced threat analysis and risk
assessment method for intelligent connected vehicles
Published in Journal of Information Security and
Applications, 2026.
The paper extends the ISO/SAE 21434 TARA concept to
integrate privacy considerations, using an Uptane OTA architecture as a
case study. (ScienceDirect)
Use in training
Module: TARA
Discussion
"Should privacy be treated separately from
cybersecurity—or integrated into the risk assessment?"
Paper 3 — TARA Across OEMs and Suppliers
An Orchestration Model for TARA across Vehicle
Manufacturers and Suppliers in Software-Defined Vehicles
This is highly relevant to an automobile manufacturing
giant because it focuses on coordinating TARA between vehicle manufacturers
and suppliers in software-defined vehicles. (ScienceDirect)
Use in training
Supplier Cybersecurity Module
Activity
Give the OEM one TARA and the Tier-1 another TARA.
Ask them to reconcile the two.
Paper 4 — ThreatSurf
ThreatSurf: A method for automated Threat Surface
assessment in automotive cybersecurity engineering
Microprocessors and Microsystems, 2022.
It discusses automated attack-surface assessment using:
- Asset
identification
- Threat
scenario identification
- Attack-path
analysis
- Attack-feasibility
rating
and explicitly connects the approach with ISO/SAE 21434 and
UN R155. (ScienceDirect)
Use in training
Attack Surface + TARA workshop
Paper 5 — Automotive Cybersecurity Testing
Cybersecurity Testing for Automotive Domain: A Survey
This research reviews automotive cybersecurity testing
approaches including:
- Penetration
testing
- Fuzzing
- Model-based
testing
- Testbeds
- Verification
and validation
It specifically discusses ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155/R156.
(PubMed
Central (PMC))
Use in training
Verification & Validation module
Activity
Participants create:
Cybersecurity Test Plan for an ECU
Paper 6 — Attack Trees in Connected Vehicles
Identification and Verification of Attack-Tree Threat
Models in Connected Vehicles
SAE Technical Paper, 2022.
The paper examines attack-tree threat modelling in connected
vehicles and relates it to ISO/SAE 21434 and UN R155. (SAE
Mobilus)
Use in training
Threat Modelling
Hands-on - "Compromise the OTA update."
Paper 7 — Practical TARA
Delivering Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment Based on
ISO 21434: Practical and Tooling Considerations
SAE Journal article by Kamil Svancara and Martin J.
Thompson.
It covers practical TARA considerations including:
- System
modelling
- Asset
identification
- Attack
modelling
- Consequence
analysis
and explains the relationship between ISO/SAE 21434 and UN
R155. (SAE
Mobilus)
Use in training
90-minute TARA workshop
This is particularly useful for your participants because it
bridges the gap between standard language and engineering implementation.
Paper 8 — Automotive Cyber Threat Intelligence
Combining Cyber Security Intelligence to Refine
Automotive Cyber Threats
Published in ACM Transactions on Privacy and Security.
The paper discusses the relationship between:
ISO/SAE 21434 → TARA → security concepts → mitigation →
security testing
and examines ways to improve automotive cyber-threat
analysis. (DOI)
Use in training
Threat Intelligence + Continuous Monitoring
Paper 9 — Connected & Automated Vehicle Standards
Analyses on standards and regulations for connected and
automated vehicles: Identifying the certifications roadmap
Transportation Engineering, 2023.
It examines:
- ISO/SAE
21434
- ISO/PAS
5112
- UNECE
R155
- UNECE
R156
- GDPR
- Cybersecurity
- Data
privacy
- Connected
and automated vehicles
Use in training
Standards & Regulations Mapping
5. Best Combination for Your 2-Day Programme
Rather than overwhelming participants with 15 movies and 20
papers, I would structure the content like this:
|
Training Module |
Movie Trigger |
News/Case |
Research |
|
Automotive Cybersecurity Mindset |
Fast & Furious 8 |
Connected vehicle attacks |
ThreatSurf |
|
Attack Surface |
Eagle Eye |
Indian connected-car ecosystem |
ThreatSurf |
|
Item Definition |
I, Robot |
Connected vehicle expansion |
CAV standards paper |
|
Asset Identification |
Irumbu Thirai |
Data/connected services |
PeTARA |
|
TARA |
Blackhat |
Indian EV security concerns |
Practical TARA paper |
|
Attack Trees |
Sneakers |
Connected vehicle threat |
SAE Attack Tree paper |
|
Cybersecurity Requirements |
Enthiran |
Indian regulatory development |
Standards roadmap |
|
Secure Architecture |
2.0 |
Connected vehicle ecosystem |
Automotive cybersecurity research |
|
Supplier Cybersecurity |
Special 26 |
OEM/Tier-1 responsibility |
OEM-supplier TARA paper |
|
OTA |
Fast & Furious 8 |
Indian OTA security concerns |
SAE OTA 2026 |
|
Testing |
Blackhat |
Vulnerability management |
Automotive Testing Survey |
|
Incident Response |
A Wednesday! |
Cybersecurity advisories |
Cyber-threat intelligence |
|
Production |
The Italian Job |
Automotive manufacturing |
Automotive security research |
|
Continuous Monitoring |
Eagle Eye |
EV ecosystem |
PeTARA / TARA research |
6. My Recommended "Movie → Module" Sequence
For maximum engagement, I would actually run the two days
like this:
DAY 1
π¬ Fast & Furious 8
Question:
"Can a car really be remotely controlled like
this?"
↓
Attack Surface
↓
Item Definition
↓
Asset Identification
↓
π¬ Irumbu Thirai
Question:
"What is the most valuable asset—the vehicle, the data,
the identity or the access?"
↓
Damage Scenarios
↓
TARA
↓
π¬ Blackhat
Question:
"How does an attacker move from entry point to
impact?"
↓
Attack Path
↓
Risk Evaluation
DAY 2
π¬ I, Robot / Enthiran
Question:
"What happens when intelligent systems become
interconnected?"
↓
Cybersecurity Goals
↓
Security Requirements
↓
π¬ Eagle Eye
Question:
"What happens when everything is connected?"
↓
Secure Architecture
↓
Supplier Cybersecurity
↓
OTA
↓
Testing
↓
π¬ Sneakers
Question:
"How do we prove that our security controls actually
work?"
↓
Verification & Validation
↓
Incident Management
↓
60-Day Implementation Roadmap
7. The "2026 India Automotive Cybersecurity"
Case Study
I strongly recommend making this the final capstone case
rather than using only foreign examples.
Scenario
Your OEM has 500,000 connected vehicles on the road.
A vulnerability is discovered involving a connected EV
subsystem.
The issue potentially involves:
Mobile App → Bluetooth → BMS → TCU → Cloud → OTA
Participants must answer:
STEP 1 — IDENTIFY
What assets are involved?
STEP 2 — MAP
What is the attack surface?
STEP 3 — TARA
What are the damage and threat scenarios?
STEP 4 — PRIORITISE
Which risks require immediate treatment?
STEP 5 — PROTECT
What cybersecurity controls are required?
STEP 6 — VERIFY
How will we test them?
STEP 7 — RESPOND
What happens if exploitation is confirmed?
STEP 8 — RECOVER
How do we restore the affected vehicles?
STEP 9 — LEARN
What must change in the next vehicle programme?
This scenario is particularly timely because India's 2026
automotive cybersecurity developments are explicitly focusing attention on connected
vehicles, EV software, authentication, OTA security and lifecycle cybersecurity.
(Business
Standard)
8. The 10 Resources I Would Put in the Participant
Workbook
- ISO/SAE
21434:2021 — official standard overview (ISO)
- Indian
connected-vehicle cybersecurity advisory — July 2026 (Business
Standard)
- India's
proposed automotive cybersecurity roadmap — 2026 (ETAuto.com)
- OEM/Tier-1
EV cybersecurity discussion — September 2026 (Autocar
Professional)
- SAE
OTA Cybersecurity Paper — 2026 (SAE
Mobilus)
- PeTARA
— 2026 (ScienceDirect)
- OEM-Supplier
TARA orchestration — 2026 (ScienceDirect)
- ThreatSurf
— Automotive Attack Surface (ScienceDirect)
- Automotive
Cybersecurity Testing Survey (PubMed
Central (PMC))
- Practical
ISO 21434 TARA methodology (SAE
Mobilus)
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