Author

Paul M. Simon

Date of Award

9-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Scott R. Graham, PhD

Abstract

The threat of eavesdropping, and the challenge of recognizing and correcting for corrupted or suppressed information in communication systems is a consistent challenge. Effectively managing protection mechanisms requires an ability to accurately gauge the likelihood or severity of a threat, and adapt the security features available in a system to mitigate the threat. This research focuses on the design and development of a security-focused communication protocol at the session-layer based on a re-prioritized communication architecture model and associated metrics. From a probabilistic model that considers data leakage and data corruption as surrogates for breaches of confidentiality and integrity, a set of metrics allows the direct and repeatable quantification of the security available in single- or multi-channel networks. The quantification of security is based directly upon the probabilities that adversarial listeners and malicious disruptors are able to gain access to or change the original message. Fragmenting data across multiple channels demonstrates potential improvements to confidentiality, while duplication improves the integrity of the data against disruptions. Finally, the model and metrics are exercised in simulation. The ultimate goal is to minimize the information available to adversaries.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENG-DS-22-S-038

DTIC Accession Number

AD1181196

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