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arXiv · 2409.09175

Cybersecurity Software Tool Evaluation Using a 'Perfect' Network Model

Jeremy Straub
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Abstract

Cybersecurity software tool evaluation is difficult due to the inherently adversarial nature of the field. A penetration testing (or offensive) tool must be tested against a viable defensive adversary and a defensive tool must, similarly, be tested against a viable offensive adversary. Characterizing the tool's performance inherently depends on the quality of the adversary, which can vary from test to test. This paper proposes the use of a 'perfect' network, representing computing systems, a network and the attack pathways through it as a methodology to use for testing cybersecurity decision-making tools. This facilitates testing by providing a known and consistent standard for comparison. It also allows testing to include researcher-selected levels of error, noise and uncertainty to evaluate cybersecurity tools under these experimental conditions.

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Jeremy Straub. 2024-09-13. Cybersecurity Software Tool Evaluation Using a 'Perfect' Network Model. https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.09175

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