Vehicle manufacturers (OEMs)
The goal is to demonstrate the cybersecurity of vehicles and backend services for type approval (R155), and to check supply-chain risk.
/ AUTOMOTIVE
Automotive Security Testing
A modern vehicle is a network of computers on wheels. Automotive security testing checks everything from vehicle components to backends and the production plant, so cyber risk does not put road safety or customer data in danger.
[ 01 ] / WHAT IT IS
What is automotive security testing, and what is its purpose in the industry?
In short
Automotive security testing is the cybersecurity assessment of vehicles, vehicle components, their supporting backend systems and the manufacturing environment. Its purpose is to show that cyber risks are managed, which matters for road safety, data protection, and for meeting the EU type-approval (UNECE R155) and customer (TISAX) requirements.
A modern vehicle contains dozens of electronic control units (ECUs), internal networks (CAN, Ethernet), connected services (telematics, a mobile app, the cloud) and the ability to be updated over the air (OTA). Every connection is a potential attack surface, and the consequence is not only lost data: a successful attack could affect how the vehicle behaves, and with it road safety. In this industry, security testing therefore exists mainly to protect safety-critical functions, demonstrate regulatory compliance and build trust across the supply chain.
Regulation is strict. UNECE Regulation R155 (the cybersecurity management system, CSMS) and R156 (the software update management system) are conditions of type approval in the EU. ISO/SAE 21434 describes the cybersecurity engineering process for vehicles, including threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA). Suppliers are often asked by OEMs to hold TISAX assessments. Security testing validates the TARA's assumptions in practice and provides evidence for compliance.
Testing is not limited to the vehicle. Backends (fleet management, OTA servers, mobile app APIs), charging infrastructure and the production plant (OT) are just as much a target, and NIS2 lists motor-vehicle manufacturing among important sectors. Our methodology builds on penetration testing, adapted to the automotive context. This is not legal advice: the conditions of type approval are set by the approval authority and the technical service.
Regulation and standards
- UNECE R155 (CSMS)
- UNECE R156 (SUMS)
- ISO/SAE 21434
- TISAX / VDA ISA
- ISO 26262 interface
- NIS2
- ISO/IEC 27001
[ 02 ] / WHO IT'S FOR
Who benefits from automotive security testing, and what is the goal for them?
The purpose of testing differs by role in the industry: from type-approval evidence, through supplier qualification, to plant continuity.
Suppliers (Tier 1 and Tier 2)
The goal is to prove component security to customers, validate the TARA, and meet OEM security requirements (such as TISAX and contractual expectations).
Software and electronics developers
The goal is to catch flaws early in embedded software, bootloaders and communication protocols, before series production.
Charging operators and manufacturers
The goal is to protect chargers, charging protocols (such as OCPP and ISO 15118) and backends against abuse and network vulnerabilities.
Fleet and mobility service providers
The goal is to verify the security of remote vehicle services, mobile apps and fleet management systems.
Plants and their operators
The goal is to protect production continuity and surface cyber risks in industrial systems (OT) on the line.
[ 03 ] / WHAT'S INCLUDED
What automotive security testing covers
We tailor the scope to the product, its development stage and your regulatory needs. The following areas are typical.
01
TARA review
We review the ISO/SAE 21434 TARA and validate it in practice: can the attack paths it identifies really be exploited?
02
ECU and embedded testing
Firmware analysis, debug interfaces, the boot chain, cryptographic keys and data protection on control units.
03
In-vehicle networks (CAN, Ethernet) and diagnostics
Network segmentation, message authentication, diagnostic access (UDS) and gateway protection.
04
Infotainment, telematics and wireless interfaces
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, USB and application-level attack surfaces.
05
OTA and the software update process
We check the authenticity, integrity and recoverability of updates against the R156 process.
06
Backends, APIs and mobile apps
Penetration testing of fleet, OTA and cloud services and of the vehicle-linked mobile apps and APIs. See also cloud security.
07
Charging infrastructure
Security assessment of charge points, charging protocols and their backends.
08
Plant and supply chain
Production-line industrial systems (OT), supplier connections and remote access, along with TISAX preparation.
[ 04 ] / HOW IT WORKS
How automotive security testing runs
The process follows the development lifecycle, and never puts road safety at risk.
Scope and risk picture
We learn the product, architecture and regulatory context, and agree which components, interfaces and systems to test.
Threat model and plan
From the TARA and the attack surface we build test scenarios and decide on the test setup (component, lab or test bench).
Testing
We test at component, network, application and backend level. Anything sensitive to road safety is done only in a controlled environment.
Assessment and evidence
We rate findings by impact on safety, privacy and compliance, and produce evidence that maps to the relevant standards.
Report and remediation plan
You receive a technical report, an executive summary and fixes that fit your development process.
Retest
After fixes we verify the result and, where needed, help present it to auditors.
[ 05 ] / WHAT IT SOLVES
What automotive security testing solves, and why it pays off
In automotive, a cybersecurity flaw is not just a privacy or business problem. It can be a road-safety risk, and a recall or a failed type approval is enormously expensive. Testing finds flaws during development, before series production, when they are cheap to fix.
It also gives evidence to regulators and customers: R155 type approval, demonstrating an ISO/SAE 21434 process and TISAX all need documented, practical testing.
- early discovery of vulnerabilities that threaten road safety
- evidence for type approval and customer audits
- practical validation of the TARA's assumptions
- stronger trust across the supply chain
- lower recall and business-continuity risk
What you receive
- executive summary of the risk
- TARA validation report
- verified vulnerabilities with evidence
- risk ratings by safety and business impact
- remediation guidance for your engineering team
- evidence pack mapped to R155, ISO/SAE 21434 and TISAX
[ 06 ] / WHY QYNTAR
Why have Qyntar run your automotive security testing?
Because automotive testing needs a team that understands embedded systems, networks, backends and regulation together.
Hardware and software experience
We work with specialists experienced in testing embedded systems, vehicle networks and backend services.
Evidence built on standards
We shape the report so it maps to the evidence needs of ISO/SAE 21434, R155 and TISAX.
A safety-conscious method
We run safety-sensitive tests in a controlled environment, in coordination with your engineering team.
The full chain with one partner
Testing the vehicle, backend and plant, plus compliance support, in one place. See compliance support.
[ 07 ] / FAQ
Frequently asked questions: Automotive Security Testing
What is the purpose of automotive security testing?
To show that the cyber risks of vehicles, components and connected systems are managed, with particular attention to road safety, and that type-approval and customer requirements are met.
What are UNECE R155 and R156?
Regulations of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. R155 covers the vehicle cybersecurity management system (CSMS) and R156 the software update management system (SUMS). In the EU they are conditions of type approval.
What is ISO/SAE 21434?
The international standard for cybersecurity engineering of road vehicles. It describes threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA), the requirements for development and production, and cybersecurity activities across the product lifecycle.
What is TISAX, and how does it relate to testing?
The automotive information security assessment and exchange model, which many OEMs expect of their suppliers. TISAX is an organization-level assessment; technical testing complements it by showing that controls work in practice. Labels are issued by accredited bodies, not by Qyntar.
Could testing endanger the vehicle or component?
We test in controlled environments (component, lab, test bench) and touch safety-critical functions only after prior agreement and under strict rules. We do not run tests on production vehicles on public roads.
Do you test charging stations and backends too?
Yes. Chargers, charging protocols, fleet management and OTA systems, as well as mobile apps and APIs, can all be part of the scope.
When should we test?
During development, before series production, after significant changes, before type approval, and regularly through the product's lifecycle. The earlier a flaw is found, the cheaper it is to fix.
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