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UCF Develops AI Tool to Protect Infrastructure During Storms

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ool-to-protect-infrastructure-during-storms.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, February 24th 2026 at 12:48 GMT by WFTV
      Locales: Florida, UNITED STATES

ORLANDO, Fla. - As the frequency and intensity of severe weather events continue to climb, a team of engineers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is tackling a growing, often overlooked threat: the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks during storms. Their newly developed cybersecurity tool, powered by machine learning and real-time data analysis, is designed to proactively defend essential services - power grids, water treatment facilities, transportation networks, and more - from malicious actors who could exploit natural disasters for nefarious purposes.

Principal investigator Bala Balandran, a professor in UCF's Department of Computer Science, explains the pressing need for this technology. "As storms become more frequent and intense, and cyberattacks become more sophisticated, the intersection of these threats poses a significant risk to our communities," he states. The project, generously funded by the National Science Foundation, isn't born in a vacuum. It builds on years of prior research conducted by Balandran's team, demonstrating a sustained commitment to addressing this complex challenge.

The concept is elegantly simple, yet powerfully effective. The tool functions as a persistent, automated sentinel, constantly scrutinizing network traffic and system behavior. Unlike reactive cybersecurity measures that respond after an intrusion, this system actively identifies potential threats before they can take hold. When the system detects anomalies - deviations from normal operational patterns that suggest a cyberattack - it doesn't wait for human intervention. It automatically isolates the affected systems, effectively containing the breach and preventing it from propagating throughout the network. This is especially crucial during emergencies when emergency responders and IT personnel are already stretched thin, battling the immediate effects of the storm and facing limited resources.

"We're giving infrastructure operators a way to protect themselves proactively," Balandran emphasizes. "It's like having a cybersecurity guard on duty, watching for threats around the clock." This 'always-on' vigilance is a significant departure from traditional cybersecurity protocols, which often rely heavily on manual monitoring and delayed responses. Imagine a hurricane knocking out power across a city. Now imagine a simultaneous, coordinated cyberattack targeting the systems designed to restore that power. The resulting chaos and extended outages could be catastrophic.

One of the key strengths of the UCF tool lies in its adaptability. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution. The engineers have designed it to be customizable, allowing infrastructure providers to tailor the system to their specific needs and the unique characteristics of their networks. This flexibility is vital, given the diverse range of critical infrastructure systems in operation and the varying levels of cybersecurity maturity across different organizations.

The National Science Foundation recognizes the importance of this work. Joseph Iosub, a program officer with the NSF, describes the tool as "a critical step in strengthening our nation's resilience against the increasing threat of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure." The NSF's investment highlights a growing awareness within government agencies of the need to fortify the nation's defenses against this emerging threat vector.

Currently, Balandran and his team are actively collaborating with several infrastructure providers to deploy the tool in real-world environments and refine its capabilities through practical application. These pilot deployments will provide invaluable data and insights, allowing the engineers to optimize the system's performance and address any unforeseen challenges. Looking ahead, the team is exploring ways to expand the tool's functionality, extending its protective reach to encompass a wider spectrum of cyberattacks, including ransomware, phishing, and denial-of-service attacks.

The implications of this technology extend far beyond Florida. As climate change drives an increase in extreme weather events across the globe, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks will only continue to grow. The UCF tool represents a proactive and innovative approach to mitigating this risk, providing a vital layer of defense for communities facing the dual threats of natural disasters and malicious cyber activity. It's a paradigm shift in cybersecurity, moving from reactive damage control to proactive threat prevention, ensuring that essential services remain operational when they are needed most.