Aircraft Honeypot Misdirection Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective in-flight network security defense systems to misdirect and mitigate network security attacks on aircraft and other transport vehicles, as existing systems are vulnerable to hacking, which can disrupt services and compromise sensitive information, and avionics systems face constraints in memory, computing power, and physical space.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a honeypot system that simulates network services, such as a secure shell server, to attract and redirect attackers, with a local and remote simulation server that responds with progressively delayed access denial or grant responses, and a line replaceable unit connected to the onboard data network to monitor and log access attempts, thereby wasting the attacker's time and resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a honeypot system is implemented to misdirect attackers, then network security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a honeypot system as an intermediary component that sits between attackers and the actual avionics systems. The honeypot simulates vulnerable services to attract and engage attackers, while the real systems remain protected. This mediator absorbs attack attention and prevents direct contact between attackers and critical systems, resolving the contradiction by adding a protective layer without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The honeypot creates simulated copies of actual avionics services and interfaces. These virtual replicas mimic the appearance and behavior of real systems enough to deceive attackers, but contain no actual sensitive data or control functions. By copying service interfaces rather than protecting the originals directly, the system maintains security while managing complexity through virtualization.
2Loss of time
If simulation servers are deployed to occupy attacker time, then loss of time for attackers increases, but use of energy by the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The honeypot system implements partial simulation - it creates enough realistic service responses to engage attackers and waste their time, but does not fully replicate all possible system functions. The simulation provides just sufficient interaction to maintain attacker interest while consuming limited computational resources. This partial action approach balances energy consumption against time loss for attackers.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation servers employ periodic response patterns that mimic normal system behavior intervals. By responding at realistic time intervals rather than continuously, the system creates the appearance of active services while actually consuming energy only during response cycles. This periodic engagement wastes attacker time through realistic delays while managing overall energy consumption.
3Reliability
If physical space is allocated for security systems in avionics, then network security is improved, but volume of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The honeypot security system is nested within the existing avionics infrastructure, utilizing available computational and network resources rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware. The virtualization approach allows the security system to reside within the existing system volume, with the honeypot services running as software layers on top of existing hardware platforms. This nesting eliminates the need for additional physical space while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The honeypot system is designed to run on existing multi-purpose avionics hardware that already provides entertainment and communication functions. By making the security system universal and platform-independent, it can share physical resources with other onboard systems rather than requiring dedicated hardware. This multi-functionality approach maintains security capabilities while avoiding increases in overall system volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A network security attack misdirection line-replaceable unit for installation on an aircraft and connected to an onboard data network include a local network interface to the onboard data network. A local simulation server accepts incoming access requests accompanied by an access credential from an attacker client device, and is responsive thereto with either a simulated access denial response or a simulated access grant response. Delays between receipt of the access request and to the access denial response is progressively increased with each presentation of the access credential.