Maruti Suzuki MD Hisashi Takeuchi Emphasizes Cybersecurity as Auto Industry Digitalises

NEW DELHI — As the automotive industry embraces greater digitalisation, cybersecurity has become a critical operational priority, according to Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL).

Speaking at the 66th annual convention of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) on Wednesday, Takeuchi noted that while organisations are continuously strengthening their cybersecurity systems by investing in advanced technologies, hackers are also evolving their techniques and becoming more sophisticated.

“So, we have to ensure that we stay one step ahead of them,” Takeuchi said, adding that organisations cannot completely rule out the possibility of a cyber incident.

Highlighting the need for operational resilience, he stated that businesses must be prepared with robust contingency plans to resume operations swiftly and minimise potential disruptions. While the industry may not be able to anticipate every risk, it can continuously improve its ability to prepare, adapt, and respond through a focus on deep localisation, people, collective learning, and technology.

The emphasis on digital security comes against the backdrop of recent high-profile cyber attacks within the global and domestic automotive sector. Major manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Suzuki Motorcycle India, have previously faced disruptions due to cyber incidents.

Tata Motors-owned JLR faced a cyber attack that began around August 31, forcing the company to shut down major internal IT and manufacturing systems across its plants in the UK, Slovakia, Brazil, and India. Assembly lines were frozen for five weeks before the company initiated a controlled restart in late October. Similarly, in 2023, Suzuki Motorcycle India experienced a cyber attack that halted plant operations and resulted in a production loss of over 20,000 units.

Turning to broader industry trends, Takeuchi noted that government initiatives such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and the India Semiconductor Mission are creating opportunities to build capabilities in critical areas and reduce strategic dependencies.

“The objective is not to predict every disruption. That is impossible,” Takeuchi concluded. “[But we should] identify risks early enough to take counter measures.”

"The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure across the automotive sector brings immense efficiency, but it also introduces significant operational vulnerabilities. As seen with past incidents involving major manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover and Suzuki Motorcycle India, cyber attacks can severely impact supply chains and halt manufacturing for weeks. For businesses and emerging tech startups alike, investing in robust contingency planning and advanced cybersecurity is no longer optional—it is a core requirement for business continuity." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes