On alert for cybercrime
Cybersecurity has become an important factor when it comes to purchasing decisions with about 90 per cent of consumers saying strong protections directly influence whether they will opt for a connected car.
That’s according to RunSafe Security’s connected car cyber safety and security index, which surveyed 2,000 motorists in the UK, US and Germany last year.
Eighty-seven per cent of respondents believe cybersecurity is now a purchase driver with more than one-third willing to pay a premium for enhanced protections. At the same time, 70 per cent will consider buying an older, less-connected vehicle to reduce risk.
Joe Saunders, RunSafe Security ‘s chief executive, says: “All the incredible technology carmakers are bringing into today’s cabins to sell cars can actually have the opposite effect if consumers lose trust in safety.”
RunSafe’s study found 79 per cent of drivers prioritise physical safety over data privacy, reflecting awareness that connected car vulnerabilities carry life-or-death consequences.
While 65 per cent of drivers think that remote hacking is possible, only 19 per cent feel “very confident” that their vehicle is protected.
Over-the-air software updates are perceived to be risky with 80 per cent of motorists believing updates themselves could be hacked. Saunders says securing this area is essential.
The report found growing unease about the complexity of software supply chains, with 77 per cent of consumers viewing third-party components as cybersecurity risks and 83 per cent wanting greater transparency into software origins.
Concerns are especially high around AI-based features, with 85 per cent of those surveyed saying they would worry more if such systems came from outside suppliers.
In 2024, the EU introduced two binding automotive cybersecurity regulations, UN R155 and UN R156, that apply to all marques selling vehicles in member states.
Taken together, they require carmakers to adopt a systematic, proactive approach to cybersecurity and maintain the integrity of increasingly software-driven models.
Both rules became mandatory for new-vehicle type approvals in July 2022 and, as of July 2024, applied to all vehicles undergoing type approval.
