SMART: Security Measurements and Assuring Reliability Through Metrics Technology
Abstract
Battlefield operations in the foreseeable future will depend heavily on network-centric computing systems that link a diverse multitude of geographically dispersed resources, operating on widely varied platforms, into a cohesive fighting force. The warfighter at all levels will depend on these unified systems to conduct successful multi-force operations in the 4-dimensional battle space. Such complex and widely dispersed operations expose network-based systems to unprecedented levels of reliability and security risks. Computer systems and network security are often limited by the reliability of the software running on constituent machines. Faults in the software expose vulnerabilities, pointing to the fact that a critical aspect of the computer security problem resides in software. Security holes and vulnerabilities are often the result of bad software design and implementation. Since reliability and security are so closely intertwined, this research focused on analyzing the reliability and security of a system. Being able to assess the security and reliability of the software is essential to the overall mission of the United States military. This research proposed to extend the principal investigators' proven metrics technology, combined with their extensive technical resources, to address the theoretical and technological underpinnings of widely dispersed network-centric software component design. The goal of this research was to provide component-design level information to support the accurate prediction of the reliability and security of individual and interdependent components in a network-centric environment. Successful prediction involves two levels of system understanding, architectural risk analysis and implementation analysis. Combining both analyses provided a higher likelihood of success.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA510817
Entities
People
- Dolores Zage
- Wayne Zage
Organizations
- Ball State University