Graphical Reticulated Attack DAGs for IoT/CPS Security

The patent introduces a centralized security management system that acts as an intermediary between threat actors and IoT/CPS devices. This system performs threat analysis, generates attack graphs, and determines defense strategies centrally, rather than requiring each resource-constrained device to independently implement complex security mechanisms. The intermediary handles the computational burden of security analysis while providing simplified guidance to individual devices.

The security system is segmented into distinct functional components: threat analysis module, attack graph generation module, defense strategy determination module, and defense implementation module. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall efficiency while reducing the complexity burden on individual IoT/CPS devices. The attack graph itself segments the system into nodes representing devices and edges representing potential attack vectors.

The patent implements local quality by tailoring defense strategies to specific devices based on their individual vulnerability profiles and roles within the network. Rather than applying uniform security measures to all devices, the system analyzes each device's characteristics, attack surface, and criticality to determine appropriate defense levels. This allows optimal security coverage while minimizing unnecessary deployment costs on less critical devices.

The system dynamically adjusts security parameters such as defense intensity, monitoring frequency, and resource allocation based on changing threat landscapes and system conditions. The attack graph continuously evolves as new vulnerabilities are discovered or threats emerge, allowing the system to adapt defense strategies without requiring complete redeployment. This parametric approach enables cost-effective security that responds to actual risks rather than applying static maximum protection everywhere.

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating attack graphs based on known vulnerability patterns, device types, and network topologies before actual threats materialize. Device inventories and baseline vulnerability assessments are established in advance, creating a prepared framework that can quickly respond to new threats without requiring complete re-analysis. This preliminary structuring significantly reduces the time needed for vulnerability detection when threats emerge.

The patent implements skipping by focusing analysis efforts on the most critical attack paths and high-value targets identified through the attack graph. Rather than exhaustively analyzing every possible vulnerability in the entire network, the system prioritizes attack vectors that pose the greatest risk, allowing rapid identification of critical vulnerabilities while skipping lower-priority analysis. This selective approach reduces analysis time while maintaining effective vulnerability detection capability.