New FAU program targets data breaches, cyber threats

A new Florida Atlantic University program aims to detect data breaches and report cyber threats.

Called FloridaSOAR, the security operation and response program is analyzing data that’s “coming from all over the world and from any type of device that is generating malicious activities,” said Elias Bou-Harb, assistant professor and director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Laboratory at FAU in Boca Raton.

Bou-Harb, who began his cyber attack research seven years ago, said his goal is to help mitigate cyber attacks and share threats “with those who can do something about it — Internet providers and law enforcement.”

The analysis showed that Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton had some of the highest infection rates for internet hosts such as Comcast Cable and AT&T U-verse. Webcams, routers, firewalls, voice-call technology and storage devices were most affected, according to the report released Wednesday by FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Florida cities with the highest infection rates on internet devices — including smart phones, buildings, vehicles and appliances — were Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

During a 24-hour period analyzed in early June, there were more than 4,000 cyber attacks in Miami-Dade, 1,700 in Broward and about 900 in Palm Beach County. Other counties with high infection rates were Orange and Hillsboro.

Florida had a total of 15,694 attacks and the United States had 250,779 malicious activities during that 24-hour period, according to the report. FAU did not disclose its methodology.

Bou-Harb said while South Florida’s large population might be a factor in having more cyber attacks, residents in the region and state also are likely early adopters of new technology.

The sample of cyber attack data “is worrisome to say the least, especially [Internet of Things] devices,” said Bou-Harb, referring to devices that can connect and exchange data. In households, that might include baby monitors, home appliances, sensors and smart speakers. He declined to specify what kinds of threats were detected.

Bou-Harb received a $175,000 research grant from the National Science Foundation for his work. The research team plans to build algorithms to detect patterns and strategies used by cyber attackers to help deter data breaches, according to FAU.

“Professor Bou-Harb’s work … will have a tremendous impact on addressing a rampant issue that affects millions,” said Nurgun Erdol, chair of FAU’s Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She said the program also will help develop new cybersecurity professionals, who are in great demand.

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