As vehicles edge closer to full autonomy, cybersecurity becomes a make-or-break component of innovation. In this episode of Exploited: The Cyber Truth, host Paul Ducklin is joined by RunSafe Security CEO Joe Saunders and special guest Gabriel Gonzalez, Director of Hardware Security at IOActive, for an insider’s look at embedded security in the automotive industry.

Gabriel shares eye-opening research into telematics vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to remotely control vehicles—underscoring the critical need for proactive defense. Joe explains why hardening systems at build time and securing complex supply chains are essential steps toward resilience.

Together, Joe and Gabriel explore:

• The consequences of insecure MQTT configurations in fleet vehicles
• The evolving role of memory safety in embedded system defense
• The importance of security-by-design in the automotive SDLC
• The value of third-party researcher collaboration in vulnerability discovery

Whether you build ECUs, design infotainment systems, or oversee cyber risk across a fleet, this episode reveals how collaboration between researchers, OEMs, and security experts is driving a safer future for connected vehicles.