Revolutionizing Cybersecurity: KFUPM Develops Next-Generation Security Operations Center

Affiliated Research Center:

IRC for Intelligent Secure Systems

Research team:

Prof. Mohammad Hammoudeh, Dr. Mohammad Imam , Dr. Abdulaziz Barnawi, Dr. Waleed Algobi, Dr. Mustafa Ghaleb (Postdoc), Dr. Farid BinBeshr (Postdoc)

As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity, researchers at KFUPM are responding with innovative approaches to address these emerging challenges. A dedicated team of experts at the IRC for Intelligent Secure Systems is developing a Cognitive Security Operation Center (CSOC) that could transform how organizations defend against cyberattacks.

"Traditional Security Operation Centers are struggling to keep up with today's cyber threats," explains the research team. "Alert fatigue, shortage of skilled personnel, and the challenge of detecting sophisticated attacks are major issues that organizations face daily."

The CSOC project aims to solve these challenges by creating a smarter, more connected security system. Unlike traditional security centers that operate in isolation, CSOC enables different organizations to share security information securely while maintaining privacy. Think of it as creating a neighborhood watch system for cybersecurity, but with artificial intelligence doing most of the heavy lifting.

One of the most exciting features of CSOC is its ability to predict attacks before they happen. Using advanced AI and machine learning, the system can identify patterns and potential threats early, giving organizations time to strengthen their defenses. The team's goal is ambitious: they aim to reduce alert fatigue by a factor of 10 and cut detection time in half.

The project comes at a crucial time. With estimates suggesting that cyberattacks could cost the global economy approximately $13 trillion by 2028, the need for better cybersecurity solutions has never been more urgent. The CSOC project is particularly relevant for emerging "Cognitive Cities", smart cities where technology is deeply integrated into everyday life.

The research team is collaborating with industry partners Cyberani and Solidrange to bring this technology to life. Their work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and represents a significant leap toward building more secure, resilient digital infrastructure, contributing to global cybersecurity advancements, and ensuring a safer digital future.

 

   

United Nations SDGs

Through our commitment to sustainable development, this project aligns with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):