Jan. 19, 2026 –
Learn how evolving regulations, lifecycle security strategies, and quantum-ready cryptography are reshaping automotive cybersecurity.
By Francesco Fiaschi, Littelfuseâ
The shift to software-defined, connected, and electrified vehicles is transforming how engineering teams design, validate, and maintain mobility systems. Today’s platforms span embedded ECUs, zonal Ethernet, cloud services, and EV charging infrastructure—delivering new capabilities while expanding the cyberattack surface. As automakers add ADAS, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, cybersecurity must be treated with the same rigor as functional safety and engineered across the full lifecycle.
This article outlines a practical path to resilient mobility: applying ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155/R156; hardening EV charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) interfaces with ISO 15118 and modern OCPP; and preparing for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) by building algorithm agility into roots of trust and OTA pipelines.
We detail threat modeling, defense-in-depth architecture, runtime monitoring, secure diagnostics, and discipline for OTA governance, with attention to heavy-duty and off-highway requirements where duty cycles, connectivity, and service models differ. The takeaway: cybersecurity is not a bolt-on product—it’s a system property created by engineering choices, organizational habits, and supply-chain collaboration.