International Contest Prioritizing Automotive Cybersecurity Kicks Off
The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, with cars becoming more autonomous, connected, and reliant on digital ecosystems. In response to this shift, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. To address this need, VicOne and Block Harbor have launched the Global Vehicle Cybersecurity Competition (VCC), an online event designed to equip and inspire the next generation of automotive cybersecurity experts.
What is the VCC?
The VCC is an "Capture the Flag" (CTF)-style event open to individuals of all skill levels, including beginners, university students, and seasoned professionals. The competition's primary objective is to provide participants with hands-on experience in both offensive and defensive operations, simulating real-world cyberattacks and countermeasures targeting modern connected and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
Format and Schedule
The competition takes place online over two weekends in August: August 22-25 and August 29-September 1, 2025. Participants will compete head-to-head in challenges that simulate practical attack and defense scenarios on vehicles’ cybersecurity systems. The competition is structured as a Capture the Flag event, where competitors find and exploit vulnerabilities or defend systems to score points.
Objectives for Participants
The VCC aims to help participants upskill in automotive cybersecurity, contribute to the advancement of defensive techniques in connected and software-defined vehicle security, and provide opportunities for further professional exposure and recognition. The overall winner will receive sponsorship to attend Pwn2Own Automotive 2026, a premier zero-day vulnerability contest for vehicle cybersecurity, held January 21-23, 2026, in Tokyo.
Registration and Participants
Registration for the VCC is now open at vicone.com/vehicle-cybersecurity-competition. The competition welcomes individuals, university teams, and professional groups alike. No prior automotive experience is required—just curiosity, a knack for problem-solving, and a passion for learning.
The Role of VicOne and Block Harbor
VicOne, a subsidiary of cybersecurity giant Trend Micro, brings over three decades of digital security experience to the automotive space. They provide a suite of specialized tools and consulting services designed to protect embedded systems, control units, and communication networks in vehicles from cyber threats.
Block Harbor's platform, the Vehicle Security Engineering Cloud (VSEC), serves as both a training and operational tool for security teams across the automotive supply chain. They have worked closely with major automakers and suppliers to harden the industry's defenses.
As cars contain millions of lines of code and numerous communication endpoints, each a potential target for cyber threats, events like the VCC are essential proving grounds for the cybersecurity guardians of tomorrow.
In conclusion, the Global VCC serves as a practical, competitive learning platform fostering skills essential for automotive cybersecurity defense and offense, incentivized with opportunities for further professional exposure and recognition. Join us for this exciting event and help shape the future of automotive security!
- The Global Vehicle Cybersecurity Competition (VCC) is organized by VicOne and Block Harbor, offering participants opportunities to learn, practice, and develop skills in automotive cybersecurity.
- VicOne, a subsidiary of cybersecurity giant Trend Micro, provides specialized tools and consulting services to protect vehicles from cyber threats, drawing on over three decades of digital security experience.
- Block Harbor's Vehicle Security Engineering Cloud (VSEC) serves as a training and operational tool for security teams in the automotive industry, working closely with major automakers and suppliers to strengthen the industry's cybersecurity.
- To participate in the VCC, interested individuals or teams can register on VicOne's website, and no prior automotive experience is required, just a passion for problem-solving and learning.
