---
title: "Automotive Cybersecurity Requirements: Imagination's Approach"
description: Explore how Imagination addresses automotive cybersecurity requirements, highlighting key regulations and the critical role of GPUs in protecting vehicle systems.
image: https://blog.imaginationtech.com/hubfs/HubSpot%20Blog%20Header%20(4).png
---

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## Automotive Cybersecurity Requirements: Imagination's Approach

![Picture of Imagination Technologies](https://blog.imaginationtech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/img-logo.png?width=60&name=img-logo.png)

 By [Imagination Technologies](https://blog.imaginationtech.com/author/imaginationtech)

 Nov 4, 2026  |  1 min read

- 04 November 2026
- [Imagination Technologies](https://blog.imaginationtech.com/author/imaginationtech)

As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, cybersecurity has become an established part of automotive product development. OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and semiconductor vendors are all expected to demonstrate that cybersecurity risks are being considered throughout the product lifecycle.

For customers evaluating automotive semiconductor IP, cybersecurity discussions are often driven by regulatory requirements, industry standards and internal governance processes. Although this article focuses on automotive applications, many of the principles discussed are increasingly being applied across other technology sectors as organisations adopt secure-by-design development practices. This article summarises the key frameworks shaping automotive cybersecurity and explains how Imagination supports customers' compliance activities.

### What is automotive cybersecurity?

Automotive cybersecurity focuses on protecting systems, software and data from unauthorised access, modification or disruption. Activities are generally aimed at ensuring:

- **Confidentiality**: only authorised parties can access information.
- **Integrity**: data and system behaviour cannot be altered without authorisation.
- **Availability**: systems remain operational when required.

Unlike functional safety, which addresses accidental faults and failures, cybersecurity addresses intentional threats and attacks. The two disciplines are closely related, as a successful cyberattack can ultimately affect safety-relevant vehicle functions.

### Key regulations and standards

**UN R155 and UN R156**

UN Regulation No. 155 establishes requirements for Cybersecurity Management Systems (CSMS), while UN Regulation No. 156 establishes requirements for Software Update Management Systems (SUMS). Together, these regulations have increased expectations around cybersecurity governance, risk management and software maintenance across the automotive industry, and are now a key consideration for organisations participating in vehicle development programmes.

**ISO/SAE 21434**

ISO/SAE 21434 provides a framework for managing cybersecurity throughout the automotive product lifecycle. It covers governance, risk assessment, development, validation, operation and incident response activities.

A central requirement is **Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA)**, a structured process used to identify potential threats, assess risk and determine appropriate mitigations.

**European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)**

The European Cyber Resilience Act establishes cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements sold within the European Union. The legislation covers areas such as secure development practices, vulnerability management, maintenance and security reporting throughout the product lifecycle.

While the specific obligations vary depending on the product and its position in the supply chain, the Act has increased customer focus on cybersecurity evidence and supplier cybersecurity processes.

### Why cybersecurity matters for automotive GPUs

Automotive GPUs are deployed across a wide range of vehicle systems, including digital instrument clusters, cockpit displays, infotainment platforms and increasingly AI-enabled driver assistance applications.

Applications associated with connected services, ADAS and automated driving systems often receive the greatest cybersecurity scrutiny due to their potential impact on vehicle operation. However, cybersecurity considerations extend beyond safety-critical functions. Cockpit and infotainment systems increasingly connect to external devices, vehicle networks and cloud-based services, expanding the overall attack surface of the vehicle. As a result, they form an important part of the vehicle cybersecurity architecture and are subject to the same broader cybersecurity assessment processes.

A GPU is only one component within a larger system architecture, and responsibility for vehicle cybersecurity is shared across hardware, software and system-level elements. However, GPU IP remains part of the overall cybersecurity assessment performed by vehicle manufacturers and system integrators.

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