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Title: Quantitative Cyber Risk Reduction Estimation Methodology for a Small Scada Control System

Conference ·
OSTI ID:911188

We propose a new methodology for obtaining a quick quantitative measurement of the risk reduction achieved when a control system is modified with the intent to improve cyber security defense against external attackers. The proposed methodology employs a directed graph called a compromise graph, where the nodes represent stages of a potential attack and the edges represent the expected time-to-compromise for differing attacker skill levels. Time-to-compromise is modeled as a function of known vulnerabilities and attacker skill level. The methodology was used to calculate risk reduction estimates for a specific SCADA system and for a specific set of control system security remedial actions. Despite an 86% reduction in the total number of vulnerabilities, the estimated time-to-compromise was increased only by about 3 to 30% depending on target and attacker skill level.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC07-99ID-13727
OSTI ID:
911188
Report Number(s):
INL/CON-06-01133; TRN: US200724%%554
Resource Relation:
Conference: Hawaii International Conference On System Science,Kauai, Hawaii,01/04/2006,01/07/2006
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English