Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- International research conference combining cybersecurity, AI, and critical infrastructure protection
- Three co-located conferences covering AI applications, smart grid security, and trustworthy AI in biomedical engineering
- Technical focus areas include autonomous systems security, 5G/6G networks, digital deception, and adversarial AI
- Hybrid format with workshops, competitions, keynotes, and industry sessions
- Designed for researchers, industry professionals, students, and government representatives
About the Event
The IEEE Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium (CARS) is an international conference now in its sixth year. Jointly hosted by the University of North Dakota’s College of Engineering & Mines, the Center for Cybersecurity Research (C2SR), and the Artificial Intelligence Research (AIR) Center, the symposium is technically co-sponsored by IEEE. The hybrid event runs both in-person at the University of North Dakota and online, featuring workshops, technical tracks, panels, keynotes, and competitions including Capture The Flag and PhD 3MT.
Technical Focus Areas
CARS addresses the convergence of AI and cybersecurity across multiple domains. Sessions cover machine learning and large language models applied to security challenges, critical infrastructure and power system protection, and security for autonomous systems such as self-driving vehicles and unmanned aerial systems. Network security topics include IoT vulnerabilities and emerging 5G/6G architectures. The program also examines digital deception threats including misinformation, deepfakes, and social engineering tactics.
Specific technologies featured include Rust, Python, federated learning, and quantum security approaches.
Policy and Ethics Track
Beyond technical content, the symposium addresses legal frameworks, privacy considerations, and ethical dimensions of cybersecurity research. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the growing need for security professionals to navigate regulatory requirements alongside technical challenges.
Who Should Attend
The symposium serves cybersecurity researchers, AI engineers, faculty members, and graduate and undergraduate students. Industry professionals working in critical infrastructure, technology, and security sectors will find relevant content, as will government and defense sector representatives. Industry sessions from sponsors including Fortinet, Deloitte, and Cohesity complement the academic program.