The Global Vehicle Cybersecurity Competition (VCC), announced Wednesday, will unfold over two weekends, Aug. 22–25 and Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2025, in an entirely online format. The event, structured as a high-stakes “Capture the Flag” tournament, invites participants from across the globe to face off in scenarios that mimic real-world cyberattacks and countermeasures targeting the increasingly complex digital infrastructure of modern vehicles.
Organizers say the competition is intended not only to test skill but to foster a growing community of defenders — from first-time players and university students eager to gain their first hands-on experience, to seasoned professionals already pursuing careers in automotive cybersecurity. Participants will battle in both offensive and defensive modes, learning to exploit vulnerabilities and, just as critically, to patch them.
The stakes are more than symbolic. The overall winner will earn sponsorship to attend Pwn2Own Automotive 2026 — the world’s largest contest dedicated to discovering zero-day vulnerabilities in connected cars and SDVs — to be held Jan. 21–23 in Tokyo during Automotive World. That event, known for attracting top-tier hackers, engineers and researchers, has become a proving ground where tomorrow’s security standards often begin.
“We want to create an accessible pathway for anyone with an interest in automotive security to sharpen their skills and contribute to the safety of vehicles everywhere,” said a spokesperson for VicOne. “Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in the field, the threats are evolving fast, and collaboration is essential.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits, compete for cash prizes, tokens and titles, and connect with a rapidly expanding network of professionals shaping the next chapter of mobility security.
The competition reflects a wider reckoning in the automotive industry, which began in earnest a decade ago when the so-called “Jeep Hack” exposed how remote intrusions could compromise physical safety. Block Harbor, one of the organizers, was born in the wake of that incident in 2014, working alongside automakers, suppliers and auditors to address emerging threats. Today, its Vehicle Security Engineering Cloud (VSEC) and dedicated cybersecurity labs support manufacturers in hardening their digital ecosystems.
VicOne, a subsidiary of cybersecurity giant Trend Micro, brings more than 30 years of industry expertise to the partnership, offering a portfolio of software and services built specifically for the stringent demands of automotive manufacturing.
The competition is open to individuals worldwide, with registration available through VicOne’s website. For many, it offers more than just a challenge: it is a chance to step into a growing and increasingly vital field — one where the line between digital defense and driver safety grows thinner with every line of code embedded in a modern vehicle.
In an age of over-the-air updates, autonomous features and ubiquitous connectivity, the organizers hope the VCC will do more than crown a winner. They envision a new generation of cybersecurity specialists capable of anticipating attacks before they happen and creating a safer road ahead for millions of drivers.