Certified Automotive Cybersecurity Technology Specialist

Step into the future of secure mobility: Enroll in the certification course Automotive Cybersecurity Technology Specialist (ACTS) today and become a trusted professional in the field of automotive cybersecurity!

Automotive Security Professional – System Engineer – Cybersecurity Analyst – Regulatory Compliance Experts – IT & Security Professionals – R&D Engineers

In today’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape, cybersecurity is a core technical requirement for ensuring safety, privacy, and trust. The Automotive Cybersecurity Technology Specialist (ACTS) certification program is a rigorous technical training designed to equip professionals with practical skills and specialized knowledge to secure modern vehicles against complex cybersecurity threats.

What is the aim of this certification course?

This training course qualifies professionals from the automotive sector to become specialized experts in automotive cybersecurity. The focus is on imparting:

in-depth technical, organizational, and regulatory expertise
the secure application of relevant standards (e.g., ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155)
the ability to systematically identify, analyze, and manage cyber risks in connected vehicle systems and mobility systems

The goal is to enable participants to solve complex cybersecurity tasks independently and in a practical manner.

Who is this course intended for?

The training programme is designed to be interdisciplinary and is open to participants from various professional backgrounds. However, successful completion of vocational training and some initial work experience related to the subject matter of the training are recommended.

This training is specifically aimed at specialists and managers from:

the automotive and supplier industries
software development and systems engineering
the IT and cybersecurity sectors
quality management, compliance, research & development
and similar fields

WHY ATTEND?

Contribute to Safer Mobility: Play a crucial role in enhancing vehicle security, protecting lives, and building trust in automotive technologies

Boost Your Career: Position yourself as a trusted expert in a high-growth, high-demand field

Stay Ahead of the Curve: With the automotive industry rapidly embracing connected technologies, cybersecurity skills are in high demand

Achieve Compliance Excellence: Understand and implement industry standards and regulations critical to modern vehicle safety

Broaden Your Skill Set: Gain a comprehensive understanding of topics ranging from hardware security to secure software updates

Hands-On Expertise: Apply your learning through practical exercises, giving you confidence in real-world applications

How is the training set up?

The core of the training is a five-day in-person course designed as a compact, intensive program totaling 40 hours, plus breaks. Participants will work through 24 modularly structured topic blocks together:

Introduction to Automotive Cybersecurity

Understand the foundational principles and key requirements for securing modern vehicles.

Wireless Communication Security

Examine the security measures and protection strategies for vehicle wireless interfaces like Bluetooth and Passive keyless entry Systems.

UNECE R155 & R156 – ISO/SAE 21434

Understand international automotive cybersecurity regulations and how to plan compliant projects.

Secure Coding Practices

Get understanding of best practices for writing software that resists cyberattacks and avoids vulnerabilities.

Logging and Continuous Monitoring

Explore techniques to detect anomalies and security breaches through continuous monitoring.

Connected Cars and Software Defined Vehicles

Examine the cybersecurity implications of connected features and software-driven architectures.

Automotive Cryptography Essentials

Explore essential cryptographic methods used to protect data and communications in automotive systems.

Security in Communication Protocols

Discover how to secure in-vehicle networks and protocols from tampering and eavesdropping.

Cybersecurity in Automotive Supply Chain

Explore how to manage cybersecurity risks across OEMs, suppliers, and service providers.

Automotive Forensic

Understand how to investigate and analyze cyber incidents in connected vehicles.

Vulnerability Management

Learn the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating software and hardware vulnerabilities in vehicle systems.

Incident Response Management

Prepare to detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents in automotive systems.

Threat-Analysis and Risk Assessment

Learn how to systematically identify and assess cybersecurity threats and risks in automotive environments.

Secure Key Management

Gain insights into managing cryptographic keys securely across the automotive lifecycle.

Introduction to TISAX, CSMS and SUMS

Get introduced to industry standards for security assessments, cybersecurity management, and software updates.

Security Culture – Leadership and Management

Discover how to build a strong security culture through effective leadership and policy.

Capability Maturity Modelling

Assess and improve your organization’s cybersecurity maturity using structured frameworks.

Cloud Security

Understand how to secure cloud-based services and data used in modern vehicles.

Hardware Security

Dive into hardware-based security elements critical for protecting automotive ECUs and sensitive data.

Cybersecurity Controls - Defense in Depth

Learn a multi-layered approach to protect vehicles using secure boot, access control, firewalls, and more.

Security Testing Methods

Learn about penetration testing, fuzzing, and other methods to identify system vulnerabilities.

Privacy and Data Protection

Learn how to protect user data and meet privacy regulations like GDPR in the automotive context.

Threat Intelligence

Gain skills in gathering and using cyber threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging risks.

AI for Automotive Security

Discover how artificial intelligence enhances detection and defense against automotive cyber threats.

What are the different graduation options?

Choosing the appropriate certification option allows for flexible adaptation to individual goals.

Certificate of Participation: five-day in-person training
Training Certificate: five-day in-person training + exam
Training Certificate with 5 ECTS credits: five-day in-person training + exam + written assignment

Note: Recognition of this program as academic credit, including the awarding of ECTS credits, is being coordinated with the TH Mannheim Registrar’s Office and is currently under review. The prerequisite is successful certification of the ACTS training program. Once a decision has been made, any potential recognition will be communicated transparently. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Exam and written assignment

The exam usually takes place four weeks after the in-person training and is administered as a proctored online exam. The exam consists of 60 questions and has a time limit of 90 minutes; it includes various question types (including multiple-choice and single-choice questions). Passing the exam is a prerequisite for receiving a training certificate.

The written assignment (term paper) is mandatory for earning ECTS credits. It must be completed within a six-week timeframe. The topic is selected in consultation with the instructor, is based on the content of the training program, and should, whenever possible, be directly related to the participants’ professional field.

Registered participants will receive more detailed information about the examination regulations relevant to the training via a learning platform.

Approach & teaching methods

The training is designed to build competencies and combines concise knowledge transfer with practical, real-world applications. Lectures by instructors are supplemented by practical examples, case studies, and exercises.

This enables participants to tackle complex professional tasks independently, apply appropriate methods thoughtfully, and present results in a professionally sound manner.

Key benefits of the training

Certification: Earn a prestigious certification to validate your expertise in automotive cybersecurity

Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers all critical aspects of cybersecurity, including hardware security, cryptography, regulations, and secure coding practices

Hands-On Training: Practical exercises and projects to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios

Standard and Compliance Focus: Master key standards like ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155 & R156

Expert Instructors: Learn from experienced professionals with deep industry expertise

Our instructors

The training is led by our experienced experts from both industry and research. They are distinguished by:

an academic background
many years of experience in automotive cybersecurity
practical expertise gained from industry projects
teaching experience in education and professional development

Dmytro Cherkashyn

Dmytro "Dima" Cherkashyn is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 15 years’ experience in IT/OT security, specializing in nuclear, energy and automotive cybersecurity. Dima holds a master degree in nuclear energy and is the lead of the Cyber Security Research and Development team at the Institute for Security and Safety GmbH (ISS). He is an expert in IT/OT security, physical security, penetration testing and incident response. Dima also is a member of the "Threat Analysis" working group of EE-ISAC, guest lecturer on automotive security at TH Mannheim and a regular speaker / panelist at various international cyber security conferences.

Mohammad Ilyas

Mohammad Ilyas is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 20 years’ experience in IT/OT security, specializing in embedded systems and automotive cybersecurity. As Managing Director of SAPAR GmbH, he leads global security operations, develops secure architectures, and provides advanced training, bridging deep technical knowledge with practical implementation for organizations worldwide.

About us

Security through knowledge, transformation and culture.

We believe that protecting data and infrastructure requires a proactive and holistic approach. That is why we facilitate the transfer of research into industry and promote the international exchange of knowledge by providing advice, international education and training concepts. We support organizations to assess their security posture and offer target group-oriented training and consultancy. Our focus is on cybersecurity in the critical infrastructure, automotive and energy sectors.

Since March 2023, we are an independent affiliated institute of the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences (UAS). We support the UAS Mannheim in research and education, sharing our practical and industrial expertise in cybersecurity, digital, physical, automotive and nuclear security with the students and faculty.

We are Your trusted Cybersecurity Experts

With our extensive expertise in cybersecurity and a deep understanding of today‘s digital landscape, we are dedicated to safeguarding your sensitive data and providing peace of mind.

Our team of highly skilled professionals, with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity across diverse domains, is equipped with the knowledge and skills to secure your products, services, and infrastructure against cyber threats.

Our commitment to delivering the highest level of protection for your personal and business information drives us to work closely with you to create a custom cybersecurity strategy that aligns with your business goals and addresses your unique organizational needs. Get in touch with us today to discover how we can safeguard your business.

Institute for Security and Safety GmbH

Ottostr. 1
76275 Ettlingen
Germany

SAPAR GmbH

Mergenthalerallee 15-21
65760 Eschborn
Germany

Brief overview of the facts

Location

Ettlingen or on-site at your company upon request

Workload

40 hours, plus time for self-study and exams

Level

based on DQR Level 6

Graduation

Certificate of participation or training certificate

Language

English; German upon request

Expenses

4790€ incl. VAT

Booking & Contact

Convinced? Register for the certification course today and become an “Automotive Cybersecurity Technology Specialist”!

If you have any questions about our courses, please use our contact form or contact us by email.