As physical transportation networks integrate deeply with cloud connectivity and smart city infrastructure, securing autonomous vehicles requires looking far beyond the car itself to protect the broader ecosystem.

In this episode, host Zane Pelletier sits down with cybersecurity expert Tiffany Rad to explore the evolving threat landscape surrounding transportation systems, critical infrastructure, and autonomous mobility. Tiffany breaks down key vulnerabilities in autonomous vehicle architectures, supply chain security risks, insider threats, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in embedded systems. Drawing from her extensive background in industrial control systems (ICS) and space cybersecurity, Tiffany also shares actionable advice for engineering students and security professionals looking to enter the field.

Whether you are an automotive cybersecurity analyst, infrastructure manager, or autonomous systems engineer, this conversation provides a unique, cross-industry perspective on safeguarding connected mobility environments.

In this episode: 
00:00 - Introduction: Transportation Ecosystems & Infrastructure Security 
04:20 - Autonomous Vehicle Vulnerabilities Beyond the ECU 
11:15 - Supply Chain Risks & Managing Third-Party Hardware Integrity 
18:40 - Mitigating Insider Threats in Critical Infrastructure 
25:30 - AI's Role in Embedded Security: Defensive Tool vs. Attack Vector 
32:10 - Cross-Industry Lessons: What Automotive Can Learn from ICS & Space Security 
37:15 - Career Guidance for Emerging Cybersecurity Professionals

If you want to learn more about some of the challenges mentioned in the episode, see below:

• https://www.cyberdrone-challenge.org/
• https://www.cyberauto-challenge.org/
• https://www.cybertruckchallenge.org/

Thanks for listening!

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