Cybersecurity Regulations: A Prerequisite in the Era of Connected Cars As of 2026, the automotive industry is in the midst of rapid transformation. Connected and autonomous vehicles are taking center stage in the market, and with technological advancements, new security threats are also on the rise. Alongside this technological progress, a new challenge has emerged: vehicle data protection and cybersecurity. New regulations recently implemented by the European Union (EU) present both significant challenges and opportunities for automotive manufacturers. These regulations are not limited to the European market; they signify a major shift that all manufacturers targeting the global market must pay attention to. The EU has mandated cybersecurity management by integrating UN Regulations No. 155 (UN R155) and No. 156 (UN R156) into its Type-Approval procedure. UN R155 requires vehicle manufacturers to establish a Cyber Security Management System (CSMS), while UN R156 mandates the implementation of a Software Update Management System (SUMS). These two regulations are designed to maintain and manage cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle. Notably, the latest Euro 7 emission standards include cybersecurity elements, aiming to protect nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emission monitoring data and vehicle emission control software from tampering. This is a strong measure to prevent the recurrence of emission manipulation scandals, such as Volkswagen's 'Dieselgate' incident. Dieselgate, which erupted globally in 2015 when Volkswagen was found to have manipulated software to cheat on emission tests, prompted the EU to pressure manufacturers to prioritize vehicle security from the initial design phase to prevent such incidents from happening again. Against this backdrop, the South Korean automotive industry must recognize that changes in EU regulations represent a new challenge demanding both technological innovation and global competitiveness. The specific details of the cybersecurity regulations strongly demand vehicle software stability and protection against data manipulation. Under Euro 7, all gas-fueled vehicles must be equipped with an on-board emission monitoring system. This system must allow data verification via diagnostic ports while also enabling real-time management through Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Furthermore, this data must be transmittable via OTA in an anonymized form, a measure designed to ensure both personal data protection and data transparency. From a cybersecurity perspective, access to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) must be strictly controlled, unauthorized OTA updates prevented, and on-board sensor data designed to be secure from external manipulation. Since every new feature in connected vehicles increases cybersecurity risks, experts emphasize incorporating security from the initial planning stages. Overlooking these requirements could lead to severe threats such as remote vehicle control through hacking, personal data breaches, and emission data manipulation. Globally, such regulations are spreading. Not only the EU but also the UK requires UN R155 and R156 regulations, and South Korea introduced its own version of the UN regulations starting in 2025. China is also setting new standards for manufacturers by introducing similar cybersecurity requirements in early 2026. This global spread of regulations is driven by international frameworks such as UNECE WP.29 (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations), demanding an integrated response in the global market based on international standards like ISO/SAE 21434. ISO/SAE 21434 is an international standard for automotive cybersecurity, defining processes for assessing and managing cybersecurity risks at all stages of vehicle development. This standard applies throughout the entire lifecycle of connected vehicle systems, from design, development, production, operation, to decommissioning, helping manufacturers establish systematic security management systems. In South Korea's case, domestic regulations based on UN R155 and R156 have already been introduced, serving as a stepping stone for local automotive manufacturers to align with international standards and enhance their competitiveness in the global market. Changes in Euro 7 Emission Standards and the South Korean Automotive Industry Industry insiders evaluate that South Korea possesses a strength in its technologically advanced automotive manufacturers, enabling quick responses. However, there are also observations that the country should leverage these regulations as an opportunity to secure differentiated competitiveness in the global market. In particular, as companies leading in cybersecurity technology are likely to dominate the market in the future, domestic manufacturers must rapidly engage in technological development. Historically, EU automotive regulations have gone beyond merely discussing t