Blog: Cyberattack Mapping Could Alter Security Defense Strategy

Cyberattack Mapping Could Alter Security Defense Strategy
SearchSecurity.com (03/10/09) Howard, Alexander B.

During a recent seminar at Harvard University, researchers from Sandia National Laboratories presented maps they developed of massive cyberattacks against large computer networks. The maps—which are made up of a series of colored dots, lines, and graphs—simulate a type of cyberattack known as a root attack, in which hackers try to gain control of a computer at its most basic level. Sandia's Steven Y. Goldsmith says the maps could help IT security professionals protect their networks from attacks. Goldsmith also has created intelligent white hat software agents that look for suspicious requests from internal or external sources. When the agents detect an attack, they cut off malicious agents from the group, which only authorizes authenticated data. He says the technology will enable networks to defend themselves. Goldsmith says that both aspects of Sandia's research could someday be used together to improve the effectiveness of enterprise intrusion-detection software.

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