Variable Window and Deadline-Aware Sensor Attack Detector for Automotive CPS

Francis Akowuah, Kenneth Fletcher, Fanxin Kong

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

Abstract

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are susceptible to physical attacks, and researchers are exploring ways to detect them. One method involves monitoring the system for a set duration, known as the time-window, and identifying residual errors that exceed a predetermined threshold. However, this approach means that any sensor attack alert can only be triggered after the time-window has elapsed. The length of the time-window affects the detection delay and the likelihood of false alarms, with a shorter time-window leading to quicker detection but a higher false positive rate, and a longer time-window resulting in slower detection but a lower false positive rate.While researchers aim to choose a fixed time-window that balances a low false positive rate and short detection delay, this goal is difficult to attain due to a trade-off between the two. An alternative solution proposed in this paper is to have a variable time-window that can adapt based on the current state of the CPS. For instance, if the CPS is heading towards an unsafe state, it is more crucial to reduce the detection delay (by decreasing the time-window) rather than reducing the false alarm rate, and vice versa. The paper presents a sensor attack detection framework that dynamically adjusts the time-window, enabling attack alerts to be triggered before the system enters dangerous regions, ensuring timely detection. This framework consists of three components: attack detector, state predictor, and window adaptor. We have evaluated our work using real-world data, and the results demonstrate that our solution improves the usability and timeliness of time-window-based attack detectors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2023 IEEE 26th International Symposium on Real-Time Distributed Computing, ISORC 2023
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages54-63
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9798350339024
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes
Event26th IEEE International Symposium on Real-Time Distributed Computing, ISORC 2023 - Nashville, United States
Duration: May 23 2023May 25 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings - 2023 IEEE 26th International Symposium on Real-Time Distributed Computing, ISORC 2023

Conference

Conference26th IEEE International Symposium on Real-Time Distributed Computing, ISORC 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNashville
Period5/23/235/25/23

Keywords

  • Attack and Detection
  • CPS Security
  • attack detection
  • sensor attack

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Information Systems
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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