Indiana’s Racing Industry Races Ahead of Cyber Threats: Securing High-Speed Data in 2025

The roar of engines at Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t just about speed anymore—it’s about securing the massive streams of digital data that determine victory or defeat on the track. Today’s motorsports teams are essentially technology companies that happen to race cars, with a team managing a single Formula 1 car monitoring everything from tire temperatures and fuel consumption to aerodynamic efficiency and driver biometrics.

As Indiana solidifies its position as the heart of American motorsports, the racing industry faces unprecedented cybersecurity challenges that extend far beyond traditional IT concerns. The value of this data is immense, and losing this information to competitors could devastate competitive position.

The Digital Transformation of Racing

Racing cars are essentially mobile data centers, equipped with hundreds of sensors and constant connectivity to pit crews and engineering teams. In 2025, this connectivity has reached new heights, with a Formula 1 car generating around 400GB of data in a single race weekend that gets sent over networks that are specifically set up for analysis and diagnostics.

The Indiana racing ecosystem, centered around the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and supported by major events like the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, represents a motorsports industry that contributes $69.2 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy and supports over 318,000 American jobs. This massive economic engine now depends entirely on secure digital infrastructure.

Emerging Cyber Threats in Motorsports

The cybersecurity landscape in motorsports has evolved dramatically, with recent attacks like the one that began on September 1, 2025, forcing JLR to halt global production and extending shutdowns until at least October 1, demonstrating just how vulnerable interconnected automotive ecosystems are.

Modern racing motorcycles utilize telemetry, artificial intelligence, and wireless communication systems, making them vulnerable to hacker attacks. If unauthorized parties gain access to a motorcycle’s settings, they could alter engine performance, braking systems, or suspension settings, leading to catastrophic consequences at speeds exceeding 300 km/h.

The threats are multifaceted and include:

Interception and manipulation of data from F1 vehicles equipped with numerous sensors, which could lead to a significant loss of competitive advantage
Vulnerabilities in data transmission between the vehicle and teams that can result in the loss or corruption of crucial information during races
Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks that could disrupt telemetry channels and incapacitate teams during critical moments in a race
Industrial espionage, as NASCAR teams guard their setups and telemetry data with the same intensity that financial institutions protect customer information, making motorsports an attractive target for cybercriminals

Indiana’s Cybersecurity Response

Indiana has positioned itself as a leader in cybersecurity preparedness. On May 1, 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed into law Senate Enrolled Act 472 (SEA 472), requiring public entities to adopt specific policies regarding technology resource use and cybersecurity and to meet certain compliance requirements. Additionally, on January 13, 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed Executive Order 25-10, continuing the work of the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC).

The state’s commitment to cybersecurity excellence is evident through initiatives like the Indiana Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit and the establishment of comprehensive cybersecurity resources for businesses of all sizes.

Advanced Protection Strategies for Racing Teams

To safeguard telemetry systems, F1 teams invest heavily in cybersecurity, with encrypted communication protocols, intrusion detection systems, and multi-layered defenses deployed to protect data integrity. These sophisticated approaches include:

Secure telemetry systems ensuring that the vast amounts of data generated by racing cars are transmitted and stored securely
Real-time threat intelligence systems that can detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time, crucial in the fast-paced world of racing
Zero-trust security strategies, as demonstrated by Williams Racing’s adoption of Keeper Security’s password management solution to address challenges across 21 different countries over a 10-month season

Local Expertise: CTS Computers Leading the Charge

Indiana businesses, including those in the racing industry, can benefit from local cybersecurity expertise. Since 1991, CTS Computers has been a leading provider of IT support and consulting, focusing on small and medium sized businesses in central Illinois and Indiana, helping hundreds of businesses increase productivity and profitability by making IT a streamlined part of operations while equipping clients with customized technology solutions for greater operational value and to reduce risk.

For racing organizations seeking comprehensive protection, professional Cybersecurity Services Indiana providers like CTS Computers offer specialized solutions tailored to the unique demands of high-speed, data-intensive operations. Their cybersecurity protection shields businesses from the growing threat of ransomware and data breaches that are hitting Indianapolis businesses more frequently.

The Road Ahead

The continued collaboration between cybersecurity companies and racing teams underscores their commitment to innovation, speed, and precision—qualities that define both elite motorsports and best-in-class cybersecurity, empowering organizations worldwide to outpace cyber threats with real-time threat detection and response.

As Indiana’s racing industry continues to evolve, the integration of advanced cybersecurity measures isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about preserving the integrity of competition and ensuring that the roar of engines continues to represent pure speed and skill, not digital manipulation. F1’s commitment to advanced cybersecurity ensures its systems remain resilient against evolving threats, setting a global benchmark for secure IoT implementation.

The future of motorsports cybersecurity in Indiana looks promising, with state-of-the-art protection strategies, robust regulatory frameworks, and expert local providers working together to keep the racing industry secure at every turn.