Proposal of strategic link addition for improving the robustness of multiplex networks

Abstract

Recent research trends in network science have shifted from the analysis of single-layer networks to that of multilayer networks. In particular, the robustness of multilayer networks has been actively studied. Two popular multilayer network models exist: interdependent and multiplex. This study proposes link addition strategies to improve the robustness of multiplex networks against layer node-based attack. The proposed strategies extend an existing strategy called random inter degree–degree difference (RIDD), which is proposed for improving the robustness of interdependent networks. While RIDD adds links using inter-layer degree difference, proposed strategies adds links using both inter-layer degree difference and degree of layer nodes. Through several network attack simulations, we show that the proposed link addition strategies can effectively improve the robustness of multiplex networks.