As vehicles evolve into always-connected, software-defined systems, cybersecurity decisions increasingly shape privacy, safety, and trust on the road.

In this episode of Exploited: The Cyber Truth, host Paul Ducklin is joined by RunSafe Security CEO Joseph M. Saunders and special guest Sean McKeever, Global Product Cybersecurity Lead at Marelli, for a candid discussion on what it really means to secure modern vehicles. Sean brings deep industry experience to unpack how OEMs and suppliers are navigating data stewardship, autonomous testing, vehicle theft, and diverging global regulations.

Together, Paul, Joe, and Sean explore:

• What constant connectivity means for driver privacy and data stewardship
• The risks of beta-testing autonomous systems on public roads
• How car theft has shifted from physical break-ins to software exploitation
• Why U.S. and EU cybersecurity regulations take fundamentally different approaches
• The importance of collaboration across OEMs, suppliers, and regulators

From RF relay attacks to software-defined vehicles with decade-long lifecycles, this episode highlights why cybersecurity is no longer an add-on but a core design decision shaping the future of mobility.