Algorithm isolates attacks on control systems

North Carolina State University (NC State) researchers have developed a software algorithm that can detect when an individual system in a distributed network control systems (D-NCS) has been compromised by a cyber-attack.

The algorithm isolates the compromised agent, protecting the rest of the system and allowing it to continue functioning normally.

It would not require a complete overhaul of existing systems

This gives D-NCSs resilience and security advantages over systems that rely on a central computer hub, because the centralised design means the entire system would be compromised if the central computer is hacked.

“In addition, our security algorithm can be incorporated directly into the code used to operate existing distributed control systems, with minor modifications,” said Dr. Mo-Yuen Chow, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. “It would not require a complete overhaul of existing systems.”

“We have demonstrated that the system works, and are now moving forward with additional testing under various cyber-attack scenarios to optimise the algorithm’s detection rate and system performance,” said Wente Zeng, a Ph.D. student at NC State and lead author of the paper.

The paper, “Convergence and Recovery Analysis of the Secure Distributed Control Methodology for D-NCS,” will be presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, May 28-31, in Taipei, Taiwan.