Lysecky and Rozenblit Protecting 'Internet of Things' with Tech Startup

University of Arizona technology startup BG Networks, co-founded by ECE professor emeritus  Roman Lysecky and ECE distinguished professor Jerzy Rozenblit, has announced its next product. BG Networks was originally created to mitigate cyberattacks on the Internet of Things. Now, they have announced the release of AnCyR (Anomaly Detection and Cyber Resilience) host-based software anomaly detection technology.

“The launch of AnCyR is the realization of our vision to ensure attacks on life-critical systems, such as automobiles or medical devices, are detected and mitigated fast enough to prevent the worst-case outcome,” said Rozenblit. 

The startup’s first product, BGN-SAT, was launched spring 2022. BGN-SAT is a security automation tool designed to help engineers improve security, reduce development time, and take advantage of the existing security features embedded in devices and systems.

Cars on the road today contain a network of automotive electronic control units (or ECUs); this translates to between 70 and 100 in every vehicle, all networked together to control everything from climate to entertainment to acceleration to braking. Because cars are now networked and connected to the internet, they are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

AnCyR is the first anomaly detection software optimized for ECU intrusion detection and protection (IDPS) cybersecurity. It combines statistical, probabilistic, and machine learning algorithms to accurately detect attacks. According to Lysecky and Rozenblit, AnCyR is the only solution with the high performance and low overhead needed to be the front line of monitoring and defense for automotive ECUs.

“Intrusion and anomaly detection is required to effectively protect the connected car from cyber criminals. No solution is complete without the ability to monitor ECUs for a range of attacks including zero-days,” says Lysecky, who is also the CTO of BG Networks. “AnCyR will provide this critical front line of defense that allows automotive OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers to instantly respond to cyber-attacks.”