Welcome to the Machine (WTTM): A Cybersecurity Framework for the Automotive Sector

Cybersecurity has become a critical concern in the automotive sector, where the increasing connectivity and complexity of modern vehicles—particularly in the context of autonomous driving—have significantly expanded the attack surface. In response to these challenges, this paper presents the Welcome To The Machine (WTTM) framework, developed to support proactive and structured cyber risk management throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle. Specifically tailored to the automotive domain, the framework encompasses four core actions: detection, analysis, response, and remediation. A central element of WTTM is the WTTM Questionnaire, designed to assess the organizational cybersecurity maturity of automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The questionnaire addresses six key areas: Governance, Risk Management, Concept and Design, Security Requirements, Validation and Testing, and Supply Chain. This paper focuses on the development and validation of WTTM-Q. Statistical validation was performed using responses from 43 participants, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70) and strong construct validity (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.061). A supervised classifier (XGBoost), trained on 115 hypothetical response configurations, was employed to predict a priori risk classes, achieving 78% accuracy and a ROC AUC of 0.84. The WTTM framework, supported by a Vehicle Security Operations Center, provides a scalable, standards-aligned solution for enhancing cybersecurity in the automotive industry.