A Novel Model of Cyber Combat

Abstract

In this CNA-initiated, Navy-funded study, we have developed a novel model for cyber combat that allows us to explore the complex decision space of cyber warfighting. Designed to be easy to modify and extend, the model uses abstract representations of elements of cyber combat. Using the model, we developed a statistical model of the interactions between network intruders and defenders and validated it with real-world data. Based on initial explorations with the model, we have learned that for a network intrusion to be successful, the intruder must be several orders of magnitude better at avoiding detection than the network defender is at detecting intruders. We have also found that in a competition between two equally skilled combatants, offensive cyber teams are best employed to support noncyber objectives and not on attrition of the opponents capabilities in the cyber domain.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1220085

Entities

People

  • S. J. Spey
  • Zeeve Rogozinski

Organizations

  • CNA ANALYSIS AND SOLUTIONS ALEXANDRIA VA

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space