In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems have evolved well beyond their origin as simple radio + GPS units. Today, they form the digital core of the driving experience, supporting everything from streaming media and voice assistants to app ecosystems and smartphone integration.
As automakers race to deliver connected, personalized experiences, IVI platforms face growing pressure on features and security.
Innovation’s trade-off: Connectivity vs. exposure
Modern IVI systems no longer sit in isolation. They interact continuously with vehicle subsystems, cloud services, external devices (via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, LTE/5G), and third-party apps. This deep integration enables rich service experiences and introduces a wide attack surface.
If an IVI module is compromised, the consequences extend beyond lost convenience. Personal data (like navigation history, contacts, or payment credentials) may be exposed. Malicious actors could disrupt user interfaces mid-drive or infiltrate other vehicle systems, potentially interfering with security-critical functions.
While essential for software maintenance, OTA (over-the-air) update mechanisms become high-value targets; if hijacked, they could deliver harmful code en masse.
Third-party app integration compounds the challenge. Because OEMs often relinquish fine-grained control over app internals, malicious or misbehaving apps may leak data, violate privacy, or act as vectors for further exploits.
Expectations are rising but so is risk
Drivers increasingly treat their vehicles like mobile devices, expecting seamless connectivity, personalization, and a growing library of “apps.” But that expectation carries implicit trust: that the OEM will shield data, secure communication channels, and maintain system integrity.
A single breach in an IVI system can transcend technical damage. It can undermine brand reputation, invite regulatory scrutiny, and open doors to downstream threats such as using the vehicle as a foothold into back-end infrastructure (e.g. for ransomware). A security failure’s financial and reputational cost can far outstrip product recall or litigation costs.
From Afterthought to Foundation: Embedded Security Design
Traditionally, automakers treated auto cyber security as an add-on; tacked on near product completion or handled via system segregation. That approach is no longer viable in the era of connected vehicles.
Today’s IVI platforms must be secured from the outset. That means:
- Secure boot chains that verify every software module before execution
- Strong runtime integrity monitoring
- Safe, authenticated software update pipelines
- Domain separation between IVI and other vehicle control systems
- Robust credential and key management for users and services
In effect, the IVI system must act not only as a feature-rich interface but also as a hardened gateway that protects the broader vehicle architecture from malicious intrusion.
Implementing this degree of security is inherently complex. It spans hardware design, operating system architecture, supply chain collaboration, software development, and third-party services. Automakers must juggle this complexity while still advancing user experience, performance, and differentiating features.
Embedding Security Across the IVI Lifecycle
To address these challenges, automakers must embed security mechanisms throughout the IVI system’s entire lifecycle, from hardware manufacturing to post-sale software updates.
This involves establishing a secure execution environment, isolating sensitive functions from the main operating system, and ensuring that critical operations remain protected even if a user-facing application is compromised. Robust solutions should include secure provisioning during production, cryptographic key and credential management, authenticated software updates, and runtime monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized modifications.
In addition, compliance with international automotive cybersecurity standards (such as UNECE WP.29 and ISO/SAE 21434) must be built into system design rather than handled as an afterthought.
By embedding these measures early, OEMs can deliver connected experiences with the confidence that data, payments, and user profiles are always protected. This enables innovation without sacrificing safety or trust.
Looking Ahead: Security as a Core Value
The shift toward software-defined vehicles is irreversible. As the boundary between car and digital device blurs, automakers must rethink how they build, operate, and evolve their platforms. IVI systems will increasingly become the interface not just to the car’s infotainment but also to its identity, services, and safety.
Brands that adopt a security-first mindset now will gain a vital edge. Those who treat security as an optional or delayed concern may scramble to catch up when vulnerabilities emerge.
Security is not a feature to layer on; it must be woven into the very framework of the driving experience, with the IVI system at its heart.