Game Strategies in Network Security

Author: Kong-wei Lye and Jeannette M. Wing

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Abstract

This paper presents a game-theoretic method for analyzing the security of computer networks. We view the interactions between an attacker and the administrator as a two-player stochastic game and construct a model for the game. Using a non-linear program, we compute the Nash equilibrium or best-response strategies for the players (attacker and administrator). We then explain why the strategies are realistic and how administrators can use these results to enhance the security of their network.