The cybersecurity talent shaping the future of connected and autonomous vehicles is getting its due recognition. Automotive IQ has unveiled its Top 20 Voices in Automotive Cybersecurity 2026, a list that highlights professionals driving innovation across vehicle security engineering, over-the-air updates, regulatory compliance, threat intelligence, and software-defined vehicle architectures.
Rather than a simple ranking, the list reads as a snapshot of where the industry is heading. Several themes emerge from the profiles of those selected. AI-powered security is a dominant thread, with leaders like Tyson Benson of ZF Group focusing on agentic AI applications to automate firmware analysis for safety-critical systems. The goal is to keep pace with increasingly rigorous global regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act and UN R155.
Quantum-era threats are also front of mind. IBM’s Joby Jester highlights the risk of harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks and stresses the need for quantum-safe security strategies in connected mobility ecosystems. This forward-looking posture is becoming a requirement rather than a differentiator as vehicles extend their lifespans on the road.
Upstream Security CEO Yoav Levy points to a zero-sum dynamic between AI-powered attacks and AI-powered defenses, noting that traditional perimeter-based approaches are no longer sufficient. His firm’s 2026 Global Cybersecurity Report warns that AI significantly expands the attack surface, demanding continuous behavioral monitoring and real-time risk prioritization.
The broader takeaway: automotive cybersecurity is no longer a niche compliance exercise. It is becoming the reference architecture for safety-critical industries operating at the intersection of software, connectivity, and physical outcomes. The leaders recognized in this list are the ones building that blueprint.
Source: Automotive IQ
