Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity 2026
Automotive IQ presents the Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity 2026.
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Automotive IQ
02/11/2026 
Building on the success of Automotive IQ’s Top 20 Voices initiative, we are proud to present the Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity 2026 – a list celebrating the leaders who are shaping the future of cyber resilience across the global automotive ecosystem.
From vehicle cybersecurity engineering and OTA security to regulatory compliance, threat intelligence, and secure SDV architectures, these professionals are driving innovation at the intersection of mobility and digital security. As connected vehicles, autonomous systems, and electrification accelerate, their expertise ensures that safety, trust, and resilience remain at the core of industry progress.
Selected through in-depth research and analysis by the Automotive IQ editorial team, each of the Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity 2026 has demonstrated exceptional influence, deep technical expertise, and a consistent record of advancing cybersecurity standards and best practices.
We’ve compiled this list to showcase each individual’s background, highlight the cybersecurity challenges and innovations they are most passionate about, and provide links to their websites, research, thought-leadership articles, conference presentations, and LinkedIn profiles for those who want to explore their work further and connect with the leaders protecting the future of mobility.
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Tyson Benson
Senior Product Cybersecurity Analyst, ZF Group
Tyson Benson is the founder of The Product Cybersecurity Group, a consultancy bridging the gap between deep technical security and regulatory compliance. Drawing on his dual background as an attorney and computer engineer, he specialises in firmware reverse engineering and navigating complex standards such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act and UN R155.
What interests Tyson the most in the industry?
“I am currently focused on developing agentic AI applications to automate complex firmware analysis for automotive and safety-critical systems. My goal is to leverage autonomous agents to scale vulnerability research and keep pace with the increasingly rigorous demands of global security regulations.”
Tyson specialises in cybersecurity compliance and is a regular speaker at industry events.
Joby Jester
Associate Partner – Automotive Security, IBM
Joby Jester is a leading strategist in the automotive sector, specialising in the complex convergence of IT, OT, and Product Cybersecurity. As an Associate Partner at IBM Consulting, he leads the Automotive Cybersecurity Consulting Business, where he bridges the traditionally siloed domains of enterprise security, manufacturing operations, and vehicle engineering.
What interests Joby the most in the industry?
“My work is driven by the opportunity to make cybersecurity a core enabler of the software-defined vehicle era. As vehicles evolve into complex, connected software platforms, security must be integrated from the earliest stages of design and development.
I am particularly passionate about helping OEMs and suppliers build resilient vehicles platforms that stay secure throughout their lifecycle while enabling innovation and sustainable mobility.
At the same time, I am deeply committed to preparing the industry for next-generation threats, including quantum-era risks such as harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks. This means helping organisations future-proof their vehicles and data through quantum-safe security strategies that ensure long-term trust, privacy, and resilience across connected mobility ecosystems.”
With over ten years of experience in cybersecurity and advanced technologies, Joby frequently shares his insights on LinkedIn.
Dr. Mathias Dehm
Chief Product Security & Privacy Officer, AUMOVIO
Dr. Mathias Dehm is responsible for Product Cybersecurity, Privacy, Safety and AI Governance for AUMOVIO, one of the Top Tier-1s.
He has over 15 years’ cybersecurity & privacy experiences, many years in management functions. His work experiences cover multiple industries from logistic, telecommunication, medical, defense, automotive and startups. He is holding a PhD from the Munster Technological University in Cork, Ireland.
What interests Dr. Matthias Dehm the most in the industry?
“My motivation in automotive cybersecurity is to ensure safe and trustworthy mobility for everyone while the ongoing “cat-and-mouse” game ensures that you can never stay still. This field offers the rare opportunity to understand vehicles system down to their core – knowledge that only a few experts truly master.”
Dr. Mathias Dehm is a regular speaker at industry events and shares latest developments on his LinkedIn.
Yoav Levy
Co-Founder, CEO, Upstream Security
Yoav is leading Upstream's strategic direction, culture and business execution, with over 17 years of experience in multi-national high-tech companies and start-ups. He brings rich leadership experience in management, marketing and business development of IT and security products spanning over a dozen years of experience in category leading vendors such as Check Point, Juniper Networks and Broadcom. Yoav is an avid kite boarder and surfer.
What interests Yoav the most in the industry?
“The automotive industry was an early adopter of Physical AI, operating at the intersection of software, connectivity, and real-world physical outcomes. As AI capabilities accelerate, automotive systems are increasingly becoming the reference architecture for other safety-critical, highly connected industries. At the same time, AI is reshaping the threat landscape. Attackers are using automation and AI to move faster, operate at scale, and exploit dynamic systems, while many organizations still rely on security models designed for a far more static environment. Our 2026 Global Cybersecurity Report shows that AI significantly expands the attack surface, rendering traditional perimeter-based approaches insufficient. The industry is now facing a zero-sum dynamic between AI-powered attacks and AI-powered defenses, where success depends on the ability to continuously monitor behavior, prioritize risk, and respond in real time to protect safety, availability, and long-term innovation.”
You can stay up to date with Upstream Security’s latest reports and key industry insights here.
Pawel Brzezinski
Head of Cybersecurity Domain, HARMAN Automotive, Automotive Engineering Services
Pawel Brzezinski is an automotive cybersecurity leader specialising in building scalable, regulation-aligned security capabilities for complex engineering organisations. Having evolved from hands-on software engineering and secure architecture into domain-level leadership, he combines deep technical foundations with strategic oversight across UN R155, ISO/SAE 21434, and cybersecurity governance frameworks. He focuses on embedding security compliance into engineering culture so that cybersecurity becomes a structured, efficient, and sustainable part of product delivery rather than a reactive afterthought. While his primary role centers on strategy and capability development, Pawel remains actively engaged in selected high-complexity consulting challenges, particularly where interdependent technical, regulatory, and organizational factors require creative, cross-disciplinary problem solving.
Beyond his organizational responsibilities, he contributes to the broader automotive cybersecurity ecosystem through industry engagement, LinkedIn thought leadership, and speaking activities that translate regulatory and technical complexity into practical, actionable insight.
What interests Pawel the most in the industry?
"I’m driven by solving complex, interwoven cybersecurity challenges and by helping organizations transform regulatory pressure into scalable capability. Compliance should be an enabler of strong security engineering, not a substitute for it. Through my LinkedIn and speaking activity, I work to challenge the idea that “compliant” automatically means “secure,” and to bring clarity and practicality to the conversation."
You can learn more from Pawel through his LinkedIn posts.
John Heldreth
CSMS Pioneer, RV Tech
John Heldreth is an experienced product security leader, entrepreneur, and evangelist in the automotive industry. Driven by complex industry challenges and a passion for building unconventional solutions, he focuses on bridging business and engineering through innovative, forward-thinking approaches.
At Rivian Volkswagen Technologies, John leads the development of the next-generation Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS), shaping how organizations design, operate, and govern security in connected and electric vehicles.
Beyond his corporate work, he is the founder of the Automotive Security Research Group (ASRG), a global non-profit dedicated to enabling collaboration, education, and innovation within the automotive cybersecurity community.
John holds a degree in Engineering Technology from Purdue University and an MBA from German Graduate Studies, and currently resides in Berlin, Germany.
What interests John the most in the industry?
“What drives my work is the conviction that a deeper understanding leads to better security decisions in automotive products. I’m motivated by engaging across the full spectrum of automotive cybersecurity, from research and engineering to operations and community building, because shared insights strengthen resilience and ultimately help protect the people who rely on these vehicles every day.”
John is the founder of Automotive Security Research Group, a non-profit initiative to promote the development of security solutions for automotive products.
Beth Linker
Chief Product Officer, Finite State
Beth Linker leads the product organisation at Finite State. They have spent their career delivering market-leading cybersecurity and compliance solutions at Black Duck, Synopsys, Dell, and other companies.
What interests Beth the most in the industry?
“Emerging compliance demands and accelerating AI adoption are combining to create major new challenges and opportunities for product security teams. At Finite State, we're focused on giving product security teams in automotive and other industries the tools to automate product security and do their best work more effectively.”
Beth recently participated in an interview with Automotive IQ. You can read it here.
Robert Kaster
Chief Technical Expert, Bosch
Bob is a chief technical expert at Bosch, leading the global cross-divisional automotive product security expert team. In his 30 years at Bosch, he submitted more than 100 invention records, was awarded 18 patents in automotive safety and security, and designed more than 40 million braking controllers. He serves on the Auto-ISAC board of directors and recently completed his PhD in automotive cybersecurity from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2024.
What interests Robert the most in the industry?
“With automotive cybersecurity entering a more mature phase, I think the challenges facing us today are how to build robust, resilient, sustainable, and flexible security into vehicles that our grandchildren will one day be driving.”
Robert is a thought-leader in the automotive cybersecurity space, with over 18 patents and 30 years of experience. You can find further information on his LinkedIn.
Apostol Vassilev
Research Manager, NIST
Apostol Vassilev is a leading expert in Trustworthy and Responsible AI and Cybersecurity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE). His research focuses on Adversarial Machine Learning (AML) and Robust Physical AI for Autonomous Vehicles. Through collaborations with industry, government agencies, and academia, Apostol drives the development and adoption of standards in AI and cybersecurity, contributing to national and international standards initiatives.
Apostol is actively engaged with the AI security community, serving on the Distinguished Expert Review Board of the OWASP GenAI Security Project and as a founding member of the OWASP AI Vulnerability Scoring System project. With a Ph.D. in mathematics from Texas A&M University, he has authored over 60 scientific papers and holds five U.S. patents.
His work has garnered recognition for demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, professionalism in standards development, and excellence in public service. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a medal from the U.S. Commerce Department and has been featured in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Politico, and Forbes. As a frequent conference speaker and guest editor for scientific journals, Apostol is a respected authority in his field.
What interests Apostol the most in the industry?
“AV technology represents a paradigm shift in societal mobility, offering the potential to eliminate human error and provide critical independence to the elderly and mobility-impaired populations. Despite significant progress, the "long-tail" of rare, high-risk edge cases remains a primary barrier to safe, full-scale deployment. I am leading a joint industry project to address these critical robustness gaps by developing a standardized, high-fidelity framework for evaluating Physical AI models under extreme operational conditions.
In collaboration with key industry partners, this initiative involves the curation of a massive-scale dataset specifically targeting "difficult-to-handle" road environments, occurring naturally or from adversarial interventions. Our technical innovation lies in a hybrid data augmentation pipeline: we leverage high-resolution, real-world sensor data as a baseline for physical accuracy; we apply adversarial synthetic overlays, including non-linear weather patterns (heavy snow, torrential rain), objects, and complex lighting transitions (glare, low-sun angles), to create controlled, reproducible stress tests. This approach allows for the systematic discovery of model failure points without the safety risks or costs associated with exhaustive physical track testing.”
Apostol’s publications and patents can be found here. He also shares regular insights on his LinkedIn.
James Hunt
Director – Cybersecurity, PwC
James leads PwC UK’s Industrial Manufacturing and Automotive sectors from a Cybersecurity perspective and is the firm’s Head Security & Information Risk Advisor under the National Cybersecurity Centre’s (NCSC’s) Cybersecurity Services Scheme. He has over 19 years of professional experience in managing and leading large teams (50+) of highly skilled engineers and cybersecurity professionals located both in the UK and globally. He has developed and implemented national and organisational information security strategies that deliver business advantage and enable new ways of secure working. He consults with senior leaders to help coordinate many factors in the development of new strategies and gain widespread support for their implementation. He has influenced investment decisions based on prioritised risks and recommended development and implementation strategies that balanced cost against security risk. James was also one of the first cohort to receive Chartered Cybersecurity Professional status.
What interests James the most in the industry?
“What really drives me is the opportunity to help organisations build and sustain trust in an increasingly complex, risky and digitally connected world. Particularly where cyber risk has direct implications for safety, resilience, and essential services. In the industrial manufacturing, automotive, and transport sectors, cybersecurity is no longer an abstract IT concern; it directly affects how products are designed, built, operated, and trusted by customers, regulators, and society.
I am especially motivated by the rapid convergence we are seeing between software-defined products, connected operational technology, and complex global supply chains. From software-defined vehicles and over-the-air updates to smart factories and EV charging ecosystems, manufacturers are now responsible for securing not only what they make, but the digital platforms, data flows, and third-party dependencies that make those products function. Helping organisations navigate that shift, from point-in-time compliance to lifecycle security and resilience, is where I spend most of my time.
A key area of interest for me is translating complex cyber and regulatory challenges into clear, pragmatic decisions for boards and engineering leaders. Whether that is embedding secure-by-design principles into product development, strengthening supply chain assurance beyond questionnaires, or defining what “minimum viable operations” really mean during a cyber incident, my focus is on enabling progress rather than slowing it down. I am particularly interested in how regulation, including evolving product security and operational resilience requirements, can act as a catalyst for better engineering and the adoption industry 5.0 solutions.
Alongside the technical and commercial aspects, I am deeply committed to building inclusive, high-performing cybersecurity teams. The pace and complexity of change in this industry means we need diverse perspectives, authentic leadership, and continuous capability development. Creating environments where people can do their best work and where cybersecurity is seen as a business enabler rather than a blocker, is a critical part of how I measure success.”
James delivers thought leadership and key findings through his LinkedIn.
Kartheek Kumar
Senior Automotive Cybersecurity Expert at MAHLE, Limited Partner at Destrosolution
Kartheek Kumar Kothapalli is a Senior Automotive Cybersecurity Expert and Auditor specialising in security for software-defined vehicles. He partners with global OEMs, Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers, and mobility startups with a focus on safety, cybersecurity readiness, and certification-driven audits.
Kartheek’s work centers on guiding organisations through their transformation toward software-defined vehicles, spanning secure architectures, development processes, operations, and governance. He has held key roles at DEKRA, a leading German testing and certification organization, MAHLE, a global Tier-1 Supplier and at Jaguar Land Rover.
Currently, he advises multiple OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers on their SDV and cybersecurity certification journeys, supporting both internal and external audits for road-vehicle engineering standards. In addition, he is a Limited Partner at DestroSolutions, a next-generation cybersecurity company focused on quantum-safe security solutions for software-defined vehicles and mobility ecosystems.
What interests Kartheek the most in the industry?
“My work is driven by the opportunity to make cybersecurity a core enabler of the software-defined vehicle era. As vehicles evolve into complex, connected software platforms, security must be integrated from the earliest stages of design and development.
I am particularly passionate about helping OEMs and suppliers build resilient vehicles platforms that stay secure throughout their lifecycle while enabling innovation and sustainable mobility.
At the same time, I am deeply committed to preparing the industry for next-generation threats, including quantum-era risks such as harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks. This means helping organisations future-proof their vehicles and data through quantum-safe security strategies that ensure long-term trust, privacy, and resilience across connected mobility ecosystems.”
Kartheek shares industry insights on his LinkedIn.
Kristie Pfosi
Global Chief Information Officer, Marelli
Kristie Pfosi is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in technical leadership, risk management, and governance. As Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Marelli, she oversees cybersecurity across IT, OT and connected product security, securing the next generation of software-defined vehicles for autonomous and connected mobility.
Previously, Kristie held senior security roles at Delta Faucet Company, Aptiv and Mitsubishi Electric, driving cybersecurity innovation and global governance initiatives. She also served as a technical intelligence officer at the CIA.
Kristie holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Kettering University. She also has earned executive certifications in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Harvard and MIT, further solidifying her ability to lead at the intersection of technology and business strategy. She is a Dean's Council Advisory Board member at Kettering University, and also sits on the boards for CXO Xchange/Forum and Detroit Cyber Risk Collaborative, shaping the future of cybersecurity and technology innovation.
What interests Kristie the most in the industry?
“I'm driven to stay on the frontier of emerging technology. We see it in our business with AI, supply chain risks… and in our products with increasingly connected and autonomous vehicles. This polarity of innovation and risk evolving side by side and enabling the business while protecting what's next, anticipating threats and building resiliency.”
Kristie is recognised as one of the Top 30 Women in Cybersecurity, and shares thought leadership on LinkedIn.
Felix Maag
Cybersecurity Architect, Daimler Truck
Felix Maag is a Germany-based automotive security professional specialising in the architectural integrity of next-generation commercial vehicles. Currently serving as a Senior Cybersecurity Architect at Daimler Truck AG, Felix leads cross-functional project teams for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV).
Beyond technical architecture, Felix is deeply passionate about forming the organizational mindset necessary to sustain long-term resilience. He owns initiatives on building an effective and efficient cybersecurity culture, believing that security is most successful when it is lived as a core, unified organisational value. This commitment to security maturity ensures that complex product development remains both agile and robust in the face of evolving threats.
Driven by a strong belief in the power of collective intelligence, Felix is an eager advocate for collaborative research and cross-industry exchange. He pushes for transparency and knowledge-sharing through initiatives like the Automotive Cybersecurity Trend Radar, a community-driven project that applies scientific foresight to help the industry anticipate and navigate emerging technological. For Felix, these collaborations are essential for creating the insights needed to secure the future of global mobility.
What interests Felix the most in the industry?
"I am passionate about building and securing systems that keep the world moving. I thrive on new challenges, driving services and products by leading teams of inspiring and capable people. Right now, I am fascinated by the sheer velocity of change in the automotive domain; I believe the intersection of volatile market shifts and frontier technology is exactly where the most interesting innovation is born."
Felix posts weekly automotive security trends, highlighting the challenges and opportunities. You can learn more here.
Dr. Dennis Kengo Oka
Global Technical & Cybersecurity Advisor, IAV
Dr. Dennis Kengo Oka is an automotive cybersecurity expert with nearly 20 years of global experience in the automotive industry. He earned his Ph.D. in automotive security from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, where his research focused on solutions for securing the connected car. As Global Technical & Cybersecurity Advisor at IAV, he focuses on cybersecurity solutions for connected and software-defined vehicles.
Dennis has authored over 80 publications, including conference papers, journal articles, and books, and is a frequent speaker at international automotive and cybersecurity conferences and industry events. His latest books include Building Secure Cars: Assuring the Automotive Software Development Lifecycle (Wiley, 2021) and Building Secure Automotive IoT Applications: Developing Robust IoT Solutions for Next-Gen Automotive Software (Packt, 2024).
What interests Dr. Dennis Kengo Oka the most in the industry?
“What drives my work is ensuring that future vehicles are not only innovative but are built with security at their core. I’m deeply interested in anticipating emerging cyber threats, integrating robust security at every stage of development, and building resilience across increasingly connected, software-defined vehicles. The rapid pace of technological change and the constant evolution of threats, combined with the critical need to protect people and systems, keeps me energised and focused every day.”
Dennis recently published two books, one focuses on building secure automotive IoT applications, and the other on building secure cars in the software development lifecycle. You can learn industry insights from Dennis through his LinkedIn profile.
Monica E. Mitchell
Cybersecurity Lead for Intelligent Cockpit Strategic Business Unit, Harman International
Monica Mitchell is a distinguished technology and cybersecurity leader with extensive expertise in connected vehicle ecosystems, software development, and product architecture. Throughout her career in the automotive, mobility, and embedded systems domains, she has earned a reputation for delivering excellence across complex, high‑impact technology initiatives.
In her role as Cybersecurity Lead for the Intelligent Cockpit Strategic Business Unit at HARMAN International, Monica drives the development and execution of security strategies for next‑generation in‑vehicle technologies. Her prior leadership experience includes spearheading the Connected Ecosystem Cybersecurity organisation at General Motors and serving as Chief Engineer at Polaris Industries, where she established comprehensive cybersecurity programs grounded in the principles of identification, protection, detection, response, and remediation.
Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a CxO Leadership Certificate, reflecting her strong blend of technical depth, analytical rigor, and strategic vision. She is widely recognised for her ability to navigate complex engineering challenges while shaping forward‑leaning cybersecurity and technology strategies.
What interests Monica the most in the industry?
“What drives my work is seeing how rapidly our industry is evolving, especially with the rise of AI. I’m motivated by the opportunity to bring new technology to market faster while keeping it secure, safe, and high-quality. I enjoy being part of shaping solutions that help us stay competitive and move the industry forward.”
Monica provides regular commentary on industry updates and key findings on her LinkedIn.
Cosimo Senni Guidotti Magnani
Chief Delivery Officer, VP Product Innovation, and CISO, DriveSec
Cosimo blends profound technical expertise with exceptional leadership in automotive cybersecurity. He has recently taken on the roles of Chief Delivery Officer, VP of Product Innovation, and CISO. Previously, Cosimo served as the Global Product Cybersecurity Manager at a prominent Automotive OEM. His extensive experience includes key global positions such as Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Global Manager at a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier and Vice Chair of the European Steering Committee at Auto-ISAC. Recognised as an industry authority, Cosimo regularly speaks at international conferences including ESCAR, the IQPC (Automotive IQ) Automotive Cybersecurity Summit, and Auto-ISAC events.
What interests Cosimo the most in the industry?
“My work is fueled by a relentless pursuit of a sustainable, risk-based approach to cybersecurity. I am always on the lookout for effective risk mitigation strategies, focusing on both compliance and residual risk. I firmly believe that the widespread adoption of AI will enable us to concentrate on tasks that add significant value, and thus, I am committed to investing in this direction.”
Cosimo speakers regularly at automotive conferences, and shares insight into his professional journey and industry updates on LinkedIn.
Timo van Roermund
Technical Director Automotive Security. NXP Semiconductors
Timo van Roermund leads NXP's automotive systems security team and is also deputy head of NXP PSIRT. He has deep expertise in security for embedded devices, ranging from vehicle electronics to mobile phones and IoT devices. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and program committee member for leading automotive security conferences. He has made various contributions to industry consortia and standards and is co-inventor of over 20 international patents. Timo earned an MSc degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology.
What interests Timo the most in the industry?
“The automotive industry is undergoing its biggest transformation in over 100 years. Cars are shifting from mechanical machines to rolling high‑performance computer networks. Software‑Defined Vehicles (SDVs), electrification, connectivity, automation, regulation – all of this is transforming product architectures, organisations, business models, ecosystems, and required skill sets. This makes it a very exciting place to be for automotive enthusiasts and engineers in general, and for cybersecurity professionals in particular.
Adversaries move freely across borders and industries, reminding us that true security is achieved only when we stand together. Building the future of automotive cybersecurity requires more than coordination – it demands a shared vision and a united front. I'm committed to fostering that collective strength, bringing leaders together to elevate our defenses and shape what comes next. This commitment has guided my work as Chair of the Auto‑ISAC European Working Group (2021–2025) and continues to inspire my contributions on its European Steering Committee. By joining forces, we can create an automotive ecosystem where security is not just a goal but a defining principle.”
Timo is a regular speaker at conferences and provides company insights on his LinkedIn.
Dr. David Ward
Global Head of Vehicle Resilience – Functional Safety, HORIBA MIRA Limited
Dr. David Ward is a recognised leader in the field of automotive functional safety, cybersecurity, dependability, and embedded systems. With over 30 years’ experience, he drives strategy, standards, consultancy, and technical excellence in safety-related and security-related systems at HORIBA MIRA.
In his capacity as Global Head of Functional Safety, David oversees training, consultancy, and assurance activities aligned to ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, and related standards. He is also the UK Principal Technical Expert on the ISO 26262 committee, and contributes to work across cybersecurity, SOTIF (Safety Of The Intended Functionality), intelligent and connected vehicle systems, and automated driving. He is co-author of “Automotive cybersecurity – an introduction to ISO/SAE 21434” published by SAE. He also coordinates the activities of The MISRA Consortium, which researches and publishes industry-leading guidance for best practices in software development and safety cases.
What interests David the most in the industry?
“Software continues to be central to innovations in the automotive industry with the deployment of zonal architectures and central compute solutions. Functional safety and cybersecurity rely on robust architectural solutions. I’m excited to continue contributing to industry best practice and to efficient and co-ordinated solutions across the different disciplines.”
You can connect with David and learn more about his work on industry standards through his LinkedIn profile.
Abdulrahman Yacoob
Product Cybersecurity Consultant, Alten USA
Abdulrahman Yacoob is a globally experienced automotive cybersecurity leader with over a decade of experience across OEM and Tier 1 organizations in Europe and North America. He has held diverse technical and leadership roles spanning system architecture, system ownership, verification and validation, Agile program delivery, and product cybersecurity, working across a wide range of vehicle systems, including infotainment, telematics, connectivity, and safety-critical systems such as ADAS platforms, radar, cameras, and embedded ECU/SoC architectures.
Currently serving as a Product Cybersecurity Consultant, Abdulrahman leads end-to-end cybersecurity strategy and compliance for complex technology products, ensuring secure-by-design integration aligned with industry standards and regulatory requirements. He drives scalable cybersecurity governance and resilient engineering practices across the full product lifecycle, supporting innovation and the adoption of emerging technology paradigms.
Beyond his corporate role, Abdulrahman actively contributes to industry-wide practices as a member of the SAE Vehicle Cybersecurity Systems Engineering Committee. As a conference speaker and thought contributor, he shares insights on regulatory readiness, SDV security architecture, and scalable threat analysis methodologies. Holding dual master’s degrees in Software Engineering and Privacy Information & Cybersecurity, he combines technical expertise with systems thinking to advance secure and future-ready mobility.
What interests Abdulrahamn the most in the industry?
“I am driven by securing the transformation toward software-defined, connected, and intelligent vehicles at scale. As the industry transitions to cloud-integrated mobility ecosystems, cybersecurity must evolve from reactive compliance to proactive, risk-driven systems engineering.”
Abdulrahamn delivers in-depth articles on Automotive IQ's portal. You can read his pieces here.
Philipp Veronesi
Founder & Managing Director of CYMETRIS, CYEQT Knowledge Base and BreachLabz
Philipp Veronesi is a globally recognised authority and foremost thought leader in automotive cybersecurity, whose work has fundamentally shaped how the international automotive industry approaches security as a critical quality dimension.
With the founding of CYRES Consulting, he pioneered the discipline at an industry level, rapidly establishing the firm as the premier address for ISO/SAE 21434 compliance and regulatory frameworks such as UN Regulation No. 155, before its acquisition by Var Group (SeSa S.p.A.).
A serial entrepreneur of exceptional breadth, he leads three distinct ventures at the intersection of technology, compliance, and security: CYMETRIS, an innovative software platform purpose-built for compliance-driven cyber risk analysis with a focus on Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA) per ISO/SAE 21434; BreachLabz, a highly specialised vehicle penetration testing team serving OEMs and Tier-N suppliers; and the CYEQT Knowledge Base, evolved from the CYRES Academy, the world's largest learning and enablement ecosystem for applied automotive cybersecurity, anchored by the globally recognized Automotive Cybersecurity Professional Framework and thousands of certified professionals worldwide.
As the author of the world's first ISO-licensed reference work on ISO/SAE 21434 and a sought-after speaker at leading industry forums, Philipp Veronesi is widely regarded as one of the most consequential architects of automotive cybersecurity as a global industry standard, bringing rare clarity and technical depth to both boardrooms and engineering teams across the international automotive value chain.
What interests Philipp the most in the industry?
“What really occupies my mind right now is a fundamental tension I see with almost every client: the pressure to become more efficient is very real, and at the same time, the regulatory landscape worldwide is only getting more complex. This isn't a short-term phase. This is the new normal. And honestly, I find that incredibly exciting.
What particularly interests me is the question of collaboration across the supply chain. I see every day how difficult it is in practice to truly live security across all levels, from the OEM down to the smaller suppliers. It's not a matter of bad intent. It's still very often simply a lack of shared practices, shared language, and shared tools.
And that's exactly where I see one of the most exciting opportunities right now: How do we actually move forward in the way we do TARA together, for example? I believe we're leaving a lot of potential on the table here, especially once we start working with security-engineering-native tools that treat collaboration not as an add-on, but as something built in from the start. Or that genuinely integrate AI into the processes in a way that creates real value.
What drives me is that this is not an academic problem. I sit with teams who have to solve this every single day. And I'm convinced that with the right approaches, we can make real progress, not someday, but right now.”
Philipp provides company updates and industry developments through LinkedIn.
Tags: AutomotiveIQ Top20Voices cybersecurity
