Perimeter Security Testing Using Non-Disruptive Attack Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyber security testing methods are disruptive to IT infrastructure, leading to downtime, false positives, and incomplete assessments, and fail to validate the effectiveness of perimeter security systems in multi-homed or multi-path environments.
Innovation Solution
A non-disruptive diagnostic and attack testing method that simulates cyber attacks on production networks to validate perimeter security systems, providing real-time vulnerability assessment and automated remediation without downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional disruptive testing methods are used to simulate cyber attacks, then vulnerability identification capability is improved, but system availability and service continuity deteriorate due to required downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the production environment including virtualized network infrastructure, security appliances, and workloads. This virtual replica allows aggressive vulnerability testing and attack simulations to be performed on the copy without affecting the availability or integrity of the actual production systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between thorough vulnerability identification and service continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic testing where the scope, intensity, and type of attacks are adjusted in real-time based on the testing phase and target vulnerability. The system can dynamically scale attack parameters and selectively target specific vulnerabilities rather than applying uniform aggressive testing, allowing comprehensive vulnerability assessment while maintaining service availability through controlled, adaptive testing approaches
2Measurement precision
If system downtime is scheduled for security testing, then comprehensive vulnerability assessment is improved, but security coverage deteriorates due to limited testing windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous security testing to occur in the background on virtualized replicas of production systems without interrupting normal operations. The virtual environment allows uninterrupted, ongoing vulnerability assessments and attack simulations that would otherwise require scheduled downtime, thereby maintaining both comprehensive assessment completeness and continuous service availability simultaneously
3Reliability
If aggressive vulnerability scanning and attack simulations are performed, then security posture validation is improved, but false positives increase requiring additional manual verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where test results from the virtualized environment are continuously analyzed and used to refine subsequent testing parameters. The system learns from previous test outcomes, adjusts attack vectors and scanning parameters, and validates findings through multiple verification passes, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining comprehensive security validation through adaptive, self-improving testing processes
Data Source
AI summary
Testing methods and systems provide a Diagnostic Testing Service as well as an attack simulation service, for a perimeter security system, in a non-disruptive manner, so that the production targets can be tested while normally functioning, and do not have to be brought down for testing. The testing methods can be implemented, such that they are vendor and device type neutral, considering the overall strategy utilized to prevent perimeter security system attacks.