Mobile Security Threats to Connected Car Apps

This episode of Upwardly Mobile explores the security challenges in automotive mobile application development.
As cars become more connected, they also become prime targets for cyberattacks. Insecure mobile apps represent a significant attack vector in the connected car ecosystem, as they provide criminals with a gateway to access vehicle systems and sensitive data12.
APIs, which are essential to the automotive data ecosystem, also introduce security risks. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in APIs to gain unauthorised access to or control over vehicle systems. Cases have already occurred where hackers accessed account credentials to launch remote attacks on vehicle APIs23.
Connected car apps face various threats, such as unauthorised access, insecure data transmission, app vulnerabilities, malware, and physical security risks. These threats can endanger user safety, compromise data privacy, and disrupt vehicle functionality3.
Traditional approaches to cybersecurity have relied on perimeter-based static defences. This approach is insufficient for the automotive industry due to the lack of a clear perimeter in connected vehicles and the dynamic nature of cyber threats. Zero trust is a security concept that assumes no implicit trust, regardless of whether the connection is external or internal45.
Approov Mobile Security can enhance vehicle API security by allowing only authorised apps access, preventing API abuse and unauthorized data access. Approov's adaptable security policies enable a dynamic threat response, offering continuous protection for connected car systems against evolving cyber risks.
Learn more about Approov Mobile Security at https://www.approov.io/. Read the BMW case study here: https://www.approov.io/customers/bmw.
Please note that this podcast was created with the assistance of AI.