Defending against the Advanced Persistent Threat: An Optimal Control Approach. (27th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Pengdeng; Yang, Xiaofan; Xiong, Qingyu; Wen, Junhao; Tang, Yuan Yan
• Other Names: Del Rey Angel M. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Security and communication networks. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-27
• Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures -- Periodicals; Computer security -- Periodicals; Cryptography -- Periodicals; 005.805
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/2975376
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1939-0114

Abstract

Abstract : The new cyberattack pattern of advanced persistent threat (APT) has posed a serious threat to modern society. This paper addresses the APT defense problem, that is, the problem of how to effectively defend against an APT campaign. Based on a novel APT attack-defense model, the effectiveness of an APT defense strategy is quantified. Thereby, the APT defense problem is modeled as an optimal control problem, in which an optimal control stands for a most effective APT defense strategy. The existence of an optimal control is proved, and an optimality system is derived. Consequently, an optimal control can be figured out by solving the optimality system. Some examples of the optimal control are given. Finally, the influence of some factors on the effectiveness of an optimal control is examined through computer experiments. These findings help organizations to work out policies of defending against APTs.