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The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) operates at the highest level of motorsport, competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC) across extreme and often remote locations. In this high-speed, high-pressure environment, secure and reliable access to data is critical. Whether at a service park deep in a Finnish forest or a remote mountain pass in South America, engineers, drivers, and support teams rely on instant access to vehicle telemetry, diagnostics, and strategic race data. Any delay can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

For years, TGR-WRT’s IT team struggled with the limitations of traditional network security solutions. VPNs and firewalls were cumbersome, slow, and increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. The team needed a future-proof security solution that could protect sensitive engineering and race data while providing seamless, high-performance connectivity from anywhere in the world. That’s when they turned to Mintly Oy, a Finnish technology integrator, and Zscaler, a leader in cloud security.

Recognizing the need for a modern security architecture, TGR-WRT partnered with Mintly to explore Zero Trust security—an approach that eliminates traditional network perimeters and grants access based on identity and context. After a successful proof-of-concept, the team deployed the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™, a cloud-native security platform designed to protect users, applications, and data without the limitations of traditional security models.

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Uncompromising Security. During a rally, data flows constantly between the cars, engineers, and headquarters.

The results were immediate and transformative. Before adopting Zscaler, it could take up to five minutes for a team member to boot up their laptop, connect to a VPN, and access the data they needed. Now, that process takes just a few seconds. Network stability and performance improved significantly, especially in remote locations where reliable connectivity is often a challenge. At the same time, false positives related to URL filtering were drastically reduced, and firewall-related issues that had plagued the team for years were eliminated.

Riku Nykänen, Information Security Officer at TGR-WRT, describes the impact: “Zscaler simplifies our security architecture and ensures that our teams have secure, seamless connectivity no matter where they are. This makes a real difference in our races, where every tenth of a second counts.”

Uncompromising Security. During a rally, data flows constantly between the cars, engineers, and headquarters. Vehicle telemetry, tire pressure data, and engine diagnostics must be transmitted instantly so that real-time adjustments can be made to optimize performance. Any disruption in connectivity could lead to missed opportunities for crucial race decisions.
With Zscaler, TGR-WRT has built an environment where sensitive data can be transmitted securely and efficiently across multiple locations.

By replacing traditional VPNs with Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™), the team now enjoys direct, secure connections to private applications without exposing the network to potential cyber threats. Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) provides an additional layer of security, ensuring that all internet and SaaS application traffic is protected against cyber threats.

Jussi Luopajärvi, IT Manager at TGR-WRT, has seen firsthand how the transformation has enhanced the team’s operations.
“Zscaler blew our minds. User productivity has skyrocketed. The time it takes for users to turn on their laptops and start doing productive work has dropped from five minutes to a few seconds. Network performance in remote locations is better than ever, and the security challenges we faced before have disappeared,” he says.

Strengthening OT security in motorsport. While the primary focus of the deployment was IT security, TGR-WRT also recognized the growing cybersecurity risks in OT (Operational Technology) networks. Modern motorsport relies heavily on connected systems, IoT devices, and real-time telemetry—all of which must be protected from cyber threats.

Timo Aarvala, CEO of Mintly, explains the urgency of OT security in today’s landscape: “OT cybersecurity challenges have escalated, making it critical to protect these networks from cyber threats. We need to focus on network segmentation, device updates, remote access management, and continuous monitoring. By implementing these measures, we can ensure that OT networks remain secure and fully operational. The reality is that OT security lags IT security by decades, and many organizations are now struggling to define responsibilities and integrate cybersecurity fundamentals into their production networks.”

As cyber threats are targeting industrial control systems and automotive technology increase, TGR-WRT understood that protecting both IT and OT environments is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. Through its Managed Security Services, Mintly helped TGR-WRT bridge the gap between IT and OT security by implementing network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and secure remote access. This ensures that all aspects of rally operations from vehicle diagnostics to engineering remain secure and uncompromised.

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Since implementing Zscaler’s security solutions, TGR-WRT has processed over 262 million transactions and 13.7 TB of traffic in just three months, a staggering 1400% increase from the previous year. Over the same period, Zscaler detected and blocked approximately 3 million security policy violations, reinforcing the effectiveness of the new security architecture.

For a team that competes at the highest level of motorsport, every fraction of a second counts, not just on track, but in cybersecurity as well. By embracing a Zero Trust approach with Mintly and Zscaler, TGR-WRT has set a new benchmark for secure, high-performance operations in the world of motorsport. As the team continues to innovate and push the limits of rallying, its cybersecurity strategy has evolved to match its ambitions, proving that speed, security, and success go hand in hand.

Text: Mia Heiskanen
Photos: Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team