Securing tomorrow’s cars: Why cybersecurity is a key focus for future mobility

As vehicles become increasingly connected, software-defined and data-rich, cybersecurity is evolving from a technical advisory role to a foundational pillar for vehicle design, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance.

Features such as telematics, over-the-air updates, advanced driver-assistance systems and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication are creating unprecedented complexity in a car’s electronic architecture. If there are opportunities to collect data, it figures there are opportunities to compromise the source of that data — your vehicle.

“A modern vehicle that has over-the-air update capabilities — which is crawling with computers, various radios, Lidar sensors and external cameras — could well be repurposed as a surveillance platform,” comes the chilling warning from Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at cybersecurity firm Secureworks. Even a mobile phone connected to the car could be at risk, he told The Guardian earlier this year.

These are not idle warnings. The attack surface of the connected vehicle is vast: entertainment systems sharing networks with safety systems, supply-chain software from across the globe, years-long vehicle lifecycles and remote update mechanisms. 

You can expect to see cybersecurity as a focus for automotive manufacturers at the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and FOS Future Lab presented by Randox. Why? Well, a recent survey by smartphone maker Blackberry (remember them?) found 74 per cent of drivers agree connected cars and electric vehicle charging stations should be rated based on the level of cybersecurity protections baked in. So if it matters to you, it matters to car companies.

The implications for manufacturers are profound. Secure-by-design practices are now moving centre-stage: cryptographic key-management systems, robust over-the-air update pipelines, modular zonal architecture, traceability of software components and continuous monitoring of runtime behaviour. These systems must handle threats not only from known hacking attempts but from geopolitical manoeuvres, global supply-chain vulnerabilities and national security risk-profiles. Compliance with global frameworks is now just the starting point; resilience under real-world conditions is the proving ground.

Electric vehicles bring a particularly rich data environment — sensors, user-apps, location and usage behaviour all combine to generate intelligence that can be attractive to malicious actors. The risk goes beyond theft or data breach; the vehicle itself could be used as a platform for espionage or sabotage. It is no longer simply about protecting a car from being stolen or damaged but about protecting the data streams, control systems and connectivity underpinning the vehicle’s identity and safe operation.

The message is clear for those exploring the next generation of mobility. When you encounter futuristic EVs, autonomous prototypes and mobility-as-a-service platforms at the Festival of Speed, remember that the physical performance specs are only half the story. The digital architecture behind the vehicle must be equally formidable. If a car cannot guarantee data integrity, secure connectivity and software safety, then all the elegance, power and innovation risk being undermined.

In this light, cyber-resilience becomes as essential as chassis stiffness or brake balance. The fastest lap time or longest battery range will count for far less if the vehicle cannot protect its occupants, data and systems from intrusion. In effect, cybersecurity is becoming a differentiator in the way that engine output or aerodynamics once were. The most advanced cars of tomorrow will not only be fast, clean and connected — they will be cyber-secure by design.

Randox is a global leader in diagnostics, revolutionising patient outcomes through innovative technologies, including its patented biochip technology. This pioneering diagnostic platform allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers from a single sample, delivering faster, more accurate, and comprehensive results. Operating in over 145 countries, Randox develops advanced laboratory instruments, high-quality reagents, and innovative testing solutions to improve global healthcare.

Randox Health brings this cutting-edge technology directly to individuals, offering bespoke, preventative health testing programs. With world-class laboratories and personalised health insights, Randox Health enables early detection of a wide range of conditions, helping individuals take control of their health.

Together, Randox and Randox Health are redefining diagnostics and preventative healthcare. For more information, visit www.randox.com and www.randoxhealth.com.