Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS)
CARS is jointly hosted by the Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) and UIT to promote state-of-the-art cyber security activities and raise awareness.
The IEEE Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS) is a premier event bringing together researchers, industry leaders and students to explore cutting-edge cybersecurity challenges and advancements. Jointly organized by the Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR), IEEE Red River Valley Section, IEEE Region 4 and University IT (UIT), CARS provides a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and hands-on learning in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and critical infrastructure protection.
6th Annual IEEE CARS Symposium
October 26-29, 2026 (in-person and online) | Memorial Union Ballroom
The conference includes expert insights into AI-driven security, cyber-physical systems and critical infrastructure defense. It will feature three specialized workshops with hands-on sessions in biomedical security, AI safety and aviation cybersecurity. There will also be a Ph.D. dissertation competition, research poster presentations, opinion papers and networking opportunities.
Topics We Will Discuss
- AI and Machine Learning Security
- Critical Infrastructure and Aviation Security
- Digital Deception and Human-Centric Security
- Network IoT and Cloud Security
- Autonomous Systems and Cyber-Physical Security
- Cybersecurity Awareness, Policy and Ethics
Submission Categories
- Full Research Papers (6-8 pages): original research contributions with theoretical or experimental results.
- Short Papers (3-5 pages): work-in-progress, preliminary results or case studies.
- Industry Track Papers (2-3 pages): opinion papers, industry challenges and applied cybersecurity solutions.
Worship and Keynote Presentations
- Keynote: The Patterns of Digital Deception
- Workshop: Secure and Interpretable AI for Large-Scale Models
- Workshop (Online): Autonomous Systems and Security
- Workshop: Power Grid Security Application
- Workshop: Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Security Applications
- Workshop: Use Cases of AI/ML in Engineering Education
Featured Workshops and Special Sessions
CARS 2026 will feature three parallel workshops offering in-depth exploration of critical cybersecurity areas:
- AI for Biomedical Engineering and Security Applications: Addressing AI-driven diagnostics, medical data security and privacy challenges in healthcare systems.
- Secure and Interpretable AI for Large-Scale Models: Discussing the security and robustness of AI models, ensuring trust and reliability.
- Aviation and Critical Infrastructure Security: Examining cybersecurity threats in aviation, smart grids and insdustrial control systems.
2026 Important Dates
- August 30 | Full paper submission deadline
- September 15 | Notification of Acceptance
- September 20 | Early Bird Registration Deadline
- September 30 | Camera-Ready Submission
- October 5 | Final Registration Deadline