A Game Theoretic Software Test-bed for Cyber Security Analysis of Critical Infrastructure

  • Monica Ravishankar Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune - 411 025, India
  • D. Vijay Rao Institute for Systems Studies and Analyses, Delhi - 110054, India
  • C. R. S. Kumar Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune - 411 025, India
Keywords: Critical infrastructure, Game theory, Belief functions, Negotiations, Cyber war-games testbed

Abstract

National critical infrastructures are vital to the functioning of modern societies and economies. The dependence on these infrastructures is so succinct that their incapacitation or destruction has a debilitating and cascading effect on national security. Critical infrastructure sectors ranging from financial services to power and transportation to communications and health care, all depend on massive information communication technology networks. Cyberspace is composed of numerous interconnected computers, servers and databases that hold critical data and allow critical infrastructures to function. Securing critical data in a cyberspace that holds against growing and evolving cyber threats is an important focus area for most countries across the world. A novel approach is proposed to assess the vulnerabilities of own networks against adversarial attackers, where the adversary’s perception of strengths and vulnerabilities are modelled using game theoretic techniques. The proposed game theoretic framework models the uncertainties of information with the players (attackers and defenders) in terms of their information sets and their behaviour is modelled and assessed using a probability and belief function framework. The attack-defence scenarios are exercised on a virtual cyber warfare test-bed to assess and evaluate vulnerability of cyber systems. Optimal strategies for attack and defence are computed for the players which are validated using simulation experiments on the cyber war-games testbed, the results of which are used for security analyses.

Author Biographies

Monica Ravishankar, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune - 411 025, India

Ms Monica Ravishankar is pursuing her PhD from Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. Her research interests include: Operations research and game theory.

Contribution in the current study; she designed of mathematical model, simulation and analysis of data and preparation of the manuscript.

D. Vijay Rao, Institute for Systems Studies and Analyses, Delhi - 110054, India

Dr D. Vijay Rao obtained his MS (Engg) and PhD from IISc Bengaluru. Currently working as a Scientist with the Institute for Systems Studies and Analyses, Delhi. His areas of specialisation include: Military Systems analysis, design and development of wargames and strategic systems, modelling and simulation of warfare systems and military operations analysis.

Contribution in the current study; he initiated the work, contributed in the design and analysis of data and preparation of the manuscript.

C. R. S. Kumar, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune - 411 025, India

Dr C.R.S. Kumar obtained his MTech from IIT Madras and PhD from University of Melbourne. Currently working as faculty member of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. His areas of specialisation include: Jamming/anti-jamming, game theory and cognitive radios networks. 

Contribution in the current study; he provided logistic support required for the research.

Published
2017-12-18
How to Cite
Ravishankar, M., Rao, D., & Kumar, C. R. S. (2017). A Game Theoretic Software Test-bed for Cyber Security Analysis of Critical Infrastructure. Defence Science Journal, 68(1), 54-63. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.11402
Section
Commemorative Issue - DRDO