Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university located in Miami, Florida, United States. It provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across a range of disciplines. The university engages in research activities that contribute to knowledge creation and innovation. It serves a diverse student population drawn from local, national, and international communities. Florida International University also offers community outreach and continuing education programs.

The institution operates as a state-supported entity under the governance of the Florida Board of Governors. Its mission emphasizes access to higher education, research excellence, and community engagement. In April 2022, the BlackCat ransomware group claimed responsibility for an attack on the university, alleging the theft of 1.2 terabytes of sensitive data including contracts, accounting records, social security numbers, and email databases. While the university stated that its ongoing investigation found no evidence of compromised information, independent cybersecurity experts who examined the purportedly stolen data confirmed it contained sensitive university records. This incident is part of a broader pattern of ransomware attacks targeting U.S. higher education institutions attributed to the BlackCat group, which analysts consider a rebrand of earlier threat actors. The event highlighted the ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by educational organizations in protecting personal and institutional data.