Biblio

This paper has a new network security evaluation method as an absorbing Markov chain-based assessment method. This method is different from other network security situation assessment methods based on graph theory. It effectively refinement issues such as poor objectivity of other methods, incomplete consideration of evaluation factors, and mismatching of evaluation results with the actual situation of the network. Firstly, this method collects the security elements in the network. Then, using graph theory combined with absorbing Markov chain, the threat values of vulnerable nodes are calculated and sorted. Finally, the maximum possible attack path is obtained by blending network asset information to determine the current network security status. The experimental results prove that the method fully considers the vulnerability and threat node ranking and the specific case of system network assets, which makes the evaluation result close to the actual network situation.

One of the main security concerns of enterprise-level organizations which provide network-based services is combating with complex cybersecurity attacks like advanced persistent threats (APTs). The main features of these attacks are being multilevel, multi-step, long-term and persistent. Also they use an intrusion kill chain (IKC) model to proceed the attack steps and reach their goals on targets. Traditional security solutions like firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPSs) are not able to prevent APT attack strategies and block them. Recently, deception techniques are proposed to defend network assets against malicious activities during IKC progression. One of the most promising approaches against APT attacks is Moving Target Defense (MTD). MTD techniques can be applied to attack steps of any abstraction levels in a networked infrastructure (application, host, and network) dynamically for disruption of successful execution of any on the fly IKCs. In this paper, after presentation and discussion on common introduced IKCs, one of them is selected and is used for further analysis. Also, after proposing a new and comprehensive taxonomy of MTD techniques in different levels, a mapping analysis is conducted between IKC models and existing MTD techniques. Finally, the effect of MTD is evaluated during a case study (specifically IP Randomization). The experimental results show that the MTD techniques provide better means to defend against IKC-based intrusion activities.