ASRG unveils SOS 2026 keynote and panel lineup

The Automotive Security Research Group says its free Secure Our Streets 2026 conference will return online Sept. 17 with keynotes, panel discussions and live exploit demos focused on automotive cybersecurity. The event draws on a global practitioner audience and will delay public archive releases until 2027 for the first time.

Why it matters: - SOS has become one of the automotive cybersecurity sector’s largest practitioner-led gatherings, with past editions reaching attendees in more than 60 countries and more than 3,000 registrations. - The 2026 program is designed to address fast-moving threats in vehicle security, AI misuse, connected mobility and standards compliance. - ASRG is using the event to bring OEMs, suppliers, researchers, academics and regulators into one forum.

What happened: - The Automotive Security Research Group announced the keynotes, panel discussions and live exploit demonstrations for Secure Our Streets 2026. - SOS 2026 will take place online and free of charge on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. - The conference is the 5th annual SOS event. - The full agenda is available at the schedule. - Registration is free through the conference signup.

The details: - Dr. Mark T. Hofmann, a crime and intelligence analyst known as “Dr. Darknet,” will open with a keynote on how hackers use AI and deepfakes. - Hofmann’s talk draws on psychology research focused on hacker motivations and conversations with attackers in darknet forums. - Florian Rohde, managing partner at iProcess Consulting and former Tesla vehicle firmware validation leader, will present a session on the rise of the software-defined vehicle. - Rohde says he helped build Tesla’s continuous validation concept from 2012 to 2018, enabling a software package to move from code change to over-the-air deployment in as little as 24 hours. - Three panel discussions will anchor the program. - One panel will examine where AI is already useful in threat detection, SOC automation and incident response, and where risks such as prompt injection and model poisoning emerge. - A second panel will review the current state of automotive cybersecurity and what is working in ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE R155/R156. - A third panel will focus on connected two-wheel mobility, including e-bikes and motorcycles, where the cybersecurity environment is less mature than in automotive. - The two-wheel panel will address fragmented regulation, cost pressure from low-cost imports and industry collaboration. - SOS 2026 also includes live exploit stories that walk through vulnerabilities from discovery to disclosure. - Danilo Erazo of PCAutomotive will present three CVEs tied to a rolling-code algorithm used in aftermarket Chinese remote keyless entry systems deployed by some car dealerships in Latin America. - Vishwas C N of CyMobility will demonstrate how physical access to a vehicle’s wiring can be used to splice into the CAN bus and defeat the immobilizer. - Noel Lowdon, a vehicle systems forensics specialist at Harper Shaw Investigation Consultants, will show controlled root access to an infotainment head unit using a forensics rig built from 2018 Audi RS4 components. - The 2026 agenda adds 24 more sessions across Architecture & Secure SDLC, Offensive Research, Detection & Response, and Standards & Policy. - ASRG says all 2026 content will eventually be published online for free. - For the first time, session recordings will not be released to the public archive until 2027.

Between the lines: - The lineup shows SOS leaning into a mix of technical depth and broad industry relevance, with AI, theft techniques, forensics and standards all in the same program. - The delayed archive release raises the value of attending live for anyone who wants the newest material as soon as it is presented. - The focus on connected two-wheel mobility signals that cybersecurity concerns are spreading beyond cars as more vehicle categories become software-driven.

What's next: - Attendees can join the conference live on Sept. 17. - ASRG will release the archive of 2026 sessions in 2027. - The organization is also promoting SOS through X and LinkedIn.

The bottom line: - SOS 2026 is positioning itself as a free, global checkpoint for the state of automotive cybersecurity, with live research and practical lessons front and center.