🛡️🔨 The Cybersecurity Emergency in Commercial and Special-Purpose Vehicles:

A Wake-Up Call for the Industry

The automotive sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation: connectivity, telematics, over-the-air updates, and autonomous systems are now standard even in commercial fleets and specialty vehicles. But studies reveal a concerning blind spot: cybersecurity is often overlooked in these vehicle categories. The consequences range from data breaches to compromised operational readiness.

🚨 Alarming Studies & Reports

The VicOne 2025 Automotive Cybersecurity Report shows that the number of vehicle vulnerabilities reached a historic high in 2024. Around 77% of these affect in-vehicle systems such as ECUs, telematics units, or OTA mechanisms.

According to the NMFTA Trucking Cybersecurity Trends Report 2025, cybersecurity has become a top concern for commercial fleets. AI-driven attacks, phishing, and even cyber-enabled cargo theft are among the most pressing risks.

Industry blogs and analysts warn:

• Trucks face a wider attack surface due to aftermarket telematics devices often installed without OEM oversight.

• Up to 60% of cyber incidents now impact large fleets of modern vehicles occurring three times more often than just a few years ago.

  
  

🔍 Why Is This Happening?

• Telematics components are frequently installed post-production without integration into a centralized CSMS compliant with UNECE R155/ISO 21434.

• Zero-trust strategies, recommended by experts like Deloitte, remain largely ignored in favor of outdated perimeter-based architectures.

• In commercial and specialty vehicles, functionality and cost are often prioritized cybersecurity remains an afterthought.

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⚠️ Real-World Risks

• Fleet Attacks:

  Ransomware can paralyze entire logistics chains. The NMFTA report highlights the growing threat of AI-enhanced phishing and targeted cyber disruptions.

• Control System Manipulation:

  Researchers have already demonstrated how connected vehicles can be remotely accessed via mobile apps or CAN bus a nightmare scenario for vehicles with sensitive equipment.

• Lack of Supplier Updates:

  Aftermarket components often lack a clear update responsibility leaving open backdoors for cyber attackers.

  
  

✅ What Manufacturers Must Do Now

• Implement a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS)

  UNECE R155 and ISO/SAE 21434 set clear standards from development to production to OTA updates. These must apply not only to passenger cars but also to commercial and specialty vehicles.

• Adopt Zero-Trust Architectures

  Trustless environments reduce risk from compromised components. Research like "Towards Zero Trust Security in Connected Vehicles" shows this approach increases system resilience.

• Hold Suppliers Accountable

  Third-party components like ELDs, telematics units, and sensors must be integrated into the overall cyber governance. A centralized CSMS is critical.

• Leverage Active Threat Intelligence

  Manufacturers must implement threat feeds, penetration testing, and incident response teams. VicOne reports this is especially overdue in in-vehicle systems.

• Ensure Ongoing Training and Awareness

  Development teams must understand evolving cyber threats. In trucking, lack of awareness is often the entry point for an attack.

  
  

📣 Final Word

This is no longer about comfort features or digital convenience. Specialty and commercial vehicles carry sensitive data, perform critical functions, and expose vast attack surfaces. The latest data leaves no doubt: cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought.

➡️ Now is the time to act for OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and fleet operators alike:

• Establish certified CSMS (UNECE R155 / ISO 21434)

• Implement zero-trust strategies

• Secure your supply chain

• Monitor actively and raise awareness

📞 Our experts are available to support you in building a secure and regulation-compliant cybersecurity framework for your fleet or vehicle systems.

Get a first consultation now!

Sources, Further Reading & Whitepapers (for LinkedIn post)

VicOne Automotive Cybersecurity Report 2025

→ Provides detailed data on vulnerabilities, attack scenarios, and evolving requirements in the SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) landscape.

UNECE Regulation R155 & R156 Overview (UN Economic Commission for Europe)

→ UNECE Cybersecurity & Software UpdatesDefines regulatory requirements for a Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) and an Over-the-Air Software Update Management System.

National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA): Cybersecurity for Trucking

→ Trucking Cybersecurity TrendsCovers phishing risks, API vulnerabilities, and targeted security recommendations for truck and fleet operators.

Deloitte Whitepaper – Cybersecurity in Commercial Vehicles

→ A comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity risks for commercial vehicles, including best practices for manufacturers and fleet owners.

Arxiv Preprint – Towards Zero Trust Security in Connected Vehicles

→ A scientific exploration of zero-trust principles in connected vehicles, covering CAN, V2X, and OTA architectures.