arXiv subjects

Andre Teixeira

Publications and source records attributed to Andre Teixeira.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Quickest Detection of Deception Attacks in Networked Control Systems with Physical Watermarking

In this paper, we propose and analyze an attack detection scheme for securing the physical layer of a networked control system against attacks where the adversary replaces the true observations with stationary false data. An independent and identically distributed watermarking signal is added to the optimal linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control inputs, and a cumulative sum (CUSUM) test is carried out using the joint distribution of the innovation signal and the watermarking signal for quickest attack detection. We derive the expressions of the supremum of the average detection delay (SADD) for a multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) system under the optimal and sub-optimal CUSUM tests. The SADD is asymptotically inversely proportional to the expected Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD) under certain conditions. The expressions for the MIMO case are simplified for multi-input and single-output systems and explored further to distil design insights. We provide insights into the design of an optimal watermarking signal to maximize KLD for a given fixed increase in LQG control cost when there is no attack. Furthermore, we investigate how the attacker and the control system designer can accomplish their respective objectives by changing the relative power of the attack signal and the watermarking signal. Simulations and numerical studies are carried out to validate the theoretical results.

math.OC↗

arXiv2020

Sequential detection of Replay attacks

One of the most studied forms of attacks on the cyber-physical systems is the replay attack. The statistical similarities of the replay signal and the true observations make the replay attack difficult to detect. In this paper, we have addressed the problem of replay attack detection by adding watermarking to the control inputs and then performed resilient detection using cumulative sum (CUSUM) test on the joint statistics of the innovation signal and the watermarking signal. We derive the expression of the Kullback-Liebler divergence (KLD) between the two joint distributions before and after the replay attack, which is asymptotically inversely proportional to the detection delay. We perform structural analysis of the derived KLD expression and suggest a technique to improve the KLD for the systems with relative degree greater than one. A scheme to find the optimal watermarking signal variance for a fixed increase in the control cost to maximize the KLD under the CUSUM test is presented. We provide various numerical simulation results to support our theory. The proposed method is also compared with a state-of-the-art method.

math.OC↗

arXiv2018

Actuator Security Indices Based on Perfect Undetectability: Computation, Robustness, and Sensor Placement

This paper proposes an actuator security index based on the definition of perfect undetectability. This index can help a control system operator to localize the most vulnerable actuators in the networked control system, which can then be secured. Particularly, the security index of an actuator equals the minimum number of sensors and actuators that needs to be compromised, such that a perfectly undetectable attack against that actuator can be conducted. A method for computing the index for small scale networked control systems is derived, and it is shown that the index can potentially be increased by placing additional sensors. The difficulties that appear once the system is of a large scale are then outlined: the problem of calculating the index is NP--hard, the index is vulnerable to system variations, and it is based on the assumption that the attacker knows the entire model of the system. To overcome these difficulties, a robust security index is introduced. The robust index can be calculated in polynomial time, it is unaffected by the system variations, and it can be related to both limited and full model knowledge attackers. Additionally, we analyze two sensor placement problems with the objective to increase the robust indices. We show that both of these problems have submodular structures, so their suboptimal solutions with performance guarantees can be obtained in polynomial time. Finally, the theoretical developments are illustrated through numerical examples.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2017

Integrated Safety and Security Risk Assessment Methods: A Survey of Key Characteristics and Applications

Over the last years, we have seen several security incidents that compromised system safety, of which some caused physical harm to people. Meanwhile, various risk assessment methods have been developed that integrate safety and security, and these could help to address the corresponding threats by implementing suitable risk treatment plans. However, an overarching overview of these methods, systematizing the characteristics of such methods, is missing. In this paper, we conduct a systematic literature review, and identify 7 integrated safety and security risk assessment methods. We analyze these methods based on 5 different criteria, and identify key characteristics and applications. A key outcome is the distinction between sequential and non-sequential integration of safety and security, related to the order in which safety and security risks are assessed. This study provides a basis for developing more effective integrated safety and security risk assessment methods in the future.

cs.CR↗