Automotive Security Concerns Rise Among Software Developers
A survey of 1,100 developers shows an industry bracing for increased vehicle hacking attempts over the next three years.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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A new survey of 1,100 automotive software developers indicates a rapidly growing focus on vehicle security, with 83 percent of respondents expecting connected cars to become primary targets for hackers within three years. The industry reports rising alarm, evidenced by a significant year-over-year increase in concern among Canadian developers.
Why it matters
The transition to software-defined vehicles is shifting security from a background concern to a central engineering priority. As connected car ecosystems expand, the industry faces an accelerating threat landscape that now drives direct investment into defensive software architectures.
BlackBerry QNX software, a core operating system platform for vehicle electronics, reported a 27 percent year-over-year revenue increase in the last quarter. This growth reflects increased industry spending on secure, safety-certified operating environments for automotive applications.
The players
BlackBerry
A technology company based in Waterloo, Ontario, that provides the QNX operating system for automotive software and enterprise security services.
The details
Automotive software development centers on real-time operating systems (RTOS) — specialized software designed to handle mission-critical tasks with predictable timing. As cars adopt complex connectivity features, these systems require rigorous memory protection and secure boot sequences to prevent malicious actors from hijacking vehicle control units. The survey data suggests that developers are pivoting to address these architectural risks before vehicle connectivity becomes universal.
Timeline
2025: 42 percent of Canadian developers cited security as a top industry issue.
2026: 57 percent of Canadian developers now identify security as a major concern.
Next three years: 83 percent of surveyed workers expect vehicles to become major hacking targets.
2029: 87 percent of developers in China and Japan anticipate facing hack attempts.
The Tech Race
This development marks a critical shift in the software-defined vehicle race, where security posture is now competing directly with feature integration. Firms like BlackBerry are positioning their secure operating systems to capitalize on the industry's transition toward fortified, safety-first automotive architectures.
As automakers prioritize security, drivers can expect more frequent over-the-air (OTA) software updates and stricter authentication requirements for vehicle connectivity. These changes are intended to defend against rising hack attempts, though they may require more active management of digital vehicle permissions by owners.
The takeaway
The industry is moving past basic connectivity to a defensive posture as hackers view modern cars as high-value targets. Readers should monitor upcoming automotive security benchmarks and standard-setting reports from major QNX platform partners to see how these defensive priorities evolve by 2029.
Further reading
For broader trends in enterprise and product defense, see the latest updates in Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Logic.
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Do you trust that modern car software is secure enough against potential hacking attempts?
