Adversary modeling and simulation in cyber warfare

Abstract

Modeling and simulation provide many excellent benefits in preparation for successful cyber operations. Whether used for creating realistic training environments, testing new cyber warfare techniques, or predicting possible adversary actions, it is critical for such simulations to take into account the possibility of an active cyber adversary, able to adapt its plans to network conditions. Without realtime high fidelity modeling and simulation, training fails to address how to cope with intelligent and adaptive opponents, and operations become trial and error exercises rife with high-risk improvisation in situations where the adversary does not follow a well defined script. Unfortunately, current simulation techniques are insufficient to model adversaries capable of dynamic adjustment to changes in the simulation environment. Either adversary actions are completely pre-scripted, or live red teams are required to be on hand to tailor adversary actions to circumstances. In this paper, we present a technique for avoiding the prohibitive cost associated with requiring live red team participation during each use of a simulation environment while still providing the advantages dynamic adversary modeling provides. Our approach utilizes game theoretic techniques, using a new probability based search technique to curtail the search-space explosion issues that previous attempts in this area have encountered. This technique, entitled Partially-Serialized Probability Cutoff Search, also includes a new approach to modeling time, allowing modeling of anticipatory strategies and time-dependent attack techniques. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.