In the past, network perimeters acted as the primary defence against cyber threats. But in today’s hyperconnected world, traditional perimeter-based security is obsolete—especially for IoT environments. As connected devices multiply and threat actors grow more sophisticated, organisations are turning to one of the most powerful cybersecurity paradigms available: Zero Trust.

But how do you apply Zero Trust to millions of unmanaged, agentless IoT devices? The answer lies in identity automation.

🔐 What Is Zero Trust and Why Does Automotive Cybersecurity for IoT Need It?

The core principle of Zero Trust is simple: “Never trust, always verify.” Every device, user, and workload must be continuously authenticated and authorised—regardless of location.

This approach is particularly vital for IoT, where:

• Devices often lack human oversight
• Many endpoints are legacy systems or agentless
• Traditional endpoint detection tools don’t apply

Zero Trust for IoT demands identity-first security, which begins with establishing, verifying, and managing device identities automatically.

⚙️ Automating Trust with KeyScaler 2025

KeyScaler 2025, Device Authority’s flagship identity platform, enables organisations to implement Zero Trust at scale—specifically for IoT and OT ecosystems. Here’s how:

• 🔑 Automated Certificate Provisioning
  Every device gets a unique, trusted identity at onboarding—without human intervention.
• 📜 Policy-Based Access Control
  Real-time enforcement of granular access policies tied to device behaviour, type, and risk.
• 🔁 Continuous Authentication
  Devices are validated throughout their lifecycle using dynamic, context-aware rules.
• 🤖 AI-Driven Threat Detection
  Abnormal behaviour is flagged and responded to automatically, aligning with Zero Trust monitoring principles.

🔗 Securing the IoT Supply Chain

Securing the IoT supply chain is a top priority for the automotive industry, as connected vehicles depend on a vast network of hardware and software components sourced from multiple suppliers. The WP.29 regulation underscores the need to manage cybersecurity risks not just within the vehicle, but across the entire vehicle lifecycle—including every link in the supply chain. Automotive manufacturers must demand that their partners follow rigorous cybersecurity standards, such as secure software development lifecycles and comprehensive security testing protocols. This means putting in place robust processes to detect and prevent tampering, counterfeiting, and other supply chain attacks that could compromise vehicle security. By embedding these cybersecurity measures into supplier agreements and ongoing assessments, the automotive industry can better defend connected vehicles against evolving cyber threats and ensure compliance with WP.29 regulation throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

🧑‍💻 The Human Element in Zero Trust for IoT

While technology is critical, the human element remains a significant factor in managing cybersecurity risks for connected vehicles. Employees, contractors, and partners can unintentionally introduce vulnerabilities through mistakes or lack of awareness. For the automotive industry, building a strong culture of cybersecurity is essential. This involves regular training on secure coding, recognizing phishing attempts, and understanding the latest cyber threats targeting connected vehicles. Automotive manufacturers should also implement multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls to limit the impact of insider threats. By empowering people with the right knowledge and tools, the industry can strengthen its Zero Trust approach and reduce the risk of human error undermining vehicle security.

🔍 Common Barriers to Manage Cybersecurity Risks—and How to Overcome Them

1. “We don’t know what devices we have.”

Use KeyScaler’s Discovery Tool to identify and classify every connected device across your network.

2. “We can’t install agents on our devices.”

KeyScaler’s agentless model secures legacy and headless devices via standards-based integration.

3. “We’re not ready for full Zero Trust.”

Start with identity automation, and scale up to broader Zero Trust architecture in phases.

🏛️ Regulatory Requirements and Momentum Behind Zero Trust

Governments and industry regulators are pushing for Zero Trust adoption:

• Executive Order 14028 (US) mandates Zero Trust implementation in federal agencies.
• NIST Zero Trust Architecture (SP 800-207) provides a foundational framework.
• UK NCSC and EU CRA recommend identity-centric protection for connected environments.

In the automotive sector, the global regulatory landscape for automotive cybersecurity is shaped by frameworks such as WP.29 automotive cybersecurity, WP.29 cybersecurity, WP.29 regulations, UNECE WP.29, and technical regulations established by the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECE) and its World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). These vehicle regulations define the regulatory landscape for connected vehicles, setting automotive cybersecurity standards and ensuring compliance across regions. Risk assessments, risk assessment, and risk analysis are critical steps for every vehicle manufacturer to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks as required by these frameworks. A robust management system, such as a cybersecurity management system (CSMS), is essential for compliance. Vehicle manufacturers must ensure that each vehicle type, including new vehicles and passenger cars, meets type approval requirements through rigorous testing and evaluation of cybersecurity features. Regulatory changes, including the landmark regulation status of WP.29, drive the harmonization of vehicle regulations globally through the world forum for harmonization and technical regulations. These standards impact the automotive sector worldwide, with adoption in regions such as South Korea and the European Union, and also address environmental performance as part of their broader regulatory scope.

Device Authority’s KeyScaler 2025 is designed to help organisations comply while reducing operational burden.

🚨 Incident Response and Management in a Zero Trust World

A robust incident response and management strategy is essential for automotive manufacturers operating in a Zero Trust environment. The WP.29 regulation requires vehicle manufacturers to establish clear procedures for detecting, responding to, and managing cybersecurity incidents. This means having a dedicated incident response team, conducting regular drills, and ensuring rapid containment and recovery from cyber threats. Effective incident response not only helps minimize the impact of attacks on vehicles and operations but also demonstrates compliance with WP.29 regulation. By prioritizing incident management, automotive manufacturers can maintain trust, protect their brand, and ensure the ongoing security of their vehicles.

📊 Tools and Metrics for Measuring IoT Security

To ensure the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures, the automotive industry must adopt robust tools and metrics for ongoing security testing and compliance. WP.29 regulation mandates that vehicle manufacturers use a variety of assessment tools, such as vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and SIEM systems, to monitor the security posture of connected vehicles. Key performance indicators like mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) provide valuable insights into the efficiency of incident response processes. By leveraging these tools and metrics, automotive manufacturers can continuously evaluate and improve their cybersecurity strategies, ensuring that vehicles remain secure and compliant with regulatory requirements throughout their lifecycle.

📈 Real-World Example: Connected Vehicles

A leading energy company deployed KeyScaler to enforce Zero Trust across its remote substations. By automating identity management and access control, the company reduced unauthorised access attempts by 92%—while increasing compliance audit efficiency.

🔮 Future Directions for Zero Trust and IoT Security

As the automotive industry evolves, so too do the challenges and opportunities in securing connected vehicles. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 5G are reshaping the threat landscape, introducing both new risks and new tools for defense. The WP.29 regulation lays the groundwork for robust cybersecurity measures, but automotive manufacturers must stay agile—adapting to new threats and updating their cybersecurity standards and practices accordingly. Collaboration with regulatory bodies, industry standards organizations, and cybersecurity experts will be crucial for ensuring the widespread adoption of effective security measures. By embracing Zero Trust architecture, secure software development lifecycles, and proactive incident response, the automotive industry can safeguard the future of connected vehicles and maintain compliance with evolving regulations.

✅ Next Steps to Implement Zero Trust for IoT

1. Conduct a visibility audit of your connected estate
2. Automate device identity issuance and lifecycle controls
3. Define granular policies and apply contextual access rules
4. Integrate continuous monitoring and anomaly detection

Conclusion

Adopting Zero Trust for IoT is no longer an aspiration—it’s a necessity. By automating identity and policy enforcement with KeyScaler 2025, organisations can secure their connected devices, protect critical infrastructure, and build cyber resilience from the ground up.

👉 Explore KeyScaler 2025 Zero Trust features
👉 Read the IoT/OT Visibility and Control Guide
👉 Try the ROI Calculator