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Uncertainty in vulnerability of networks under attack.
Alireza Ermagun1, Nazanin Tajik2, Hani Mahmassani3
1Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA. aermagun@gmu.edu.
Scientific Reports
|February 23, 2023
Summary
Network topology and size significantly impact vulnerability to attacks. Understanding these factors helps tailor network defense strategies for improved resilience against disruptions.
Area of Science:
- Network science
- Systems analysis
- Cybersecurity
Background:
- Networks are susceptible to attacks, impacting performance.
- Quantifying network vulnerability is crucial for defense.
- Network topology and size are key factors influencing vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and quantify network "vulnerability" and "uncertainty in vulnerability" under attack.
- To examine how network topology and size affect these vulnerability metrics.
- To analyze the impact of network structure on vulnerability during percolation processes.
Main Methods:
- Defined "vulnerability" and "uncertainty in vulnerability" based on performance loss.
- Tested 16 network topologies (8-26 nodes) across infrastructure, social, and biological domains.
- Simulated benign and malicious attacks using two percolation scenarios.
Main Results:
- Crossing path, tree, and diverging tail topologies are most vulnerable.
- Complete and matching pair topologies exhibit the least vulnerability.
- Complete grid and complete topologies show the highest uncertainty in vulnerability.
- Hub-and-spoke and double U topologies demonstrate the least uncertainty.
- Vulnerability and uncertainty increase with network size.
- Network cycle count influences the timing of peak uncertainty during attacks.
Conclusions:
- Network topology and size are critical determinants of vulnerability and uncertainty.
- Different network structures require tailored preparedness and response strategies.
- Understanding vulnerability dynamics informs effective network resilience planning.
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