Intrusion detection system alert correlation with operating system level logs

Thesis (Master)--Izmir Institute of Technology, Computer Engineering, Izmir, 2009Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 63-66)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishvii, 67 leavesInternet is a global public network. More and more people are getting connected to the Internet every day to take advantage of the Internetwork connectivity. It also brings in a lot of risk on the Internet because there are both harmless and harmful users on the Internet. While an organization makes its information system available to harmless Internet users, at the same time the information is available to the malicious users as well. Most organizations deploy firewalls to protect their private network from the public network. But, no network can be hundred percent secured. This is because; the connectivity requires some kind of access to be granted on the internal systems to Internet users. The firewall provides security by allowing only specific services through it. The firewall implements defined rules to each packet reaching to its network interface. The IDS complements the firewall security by detected if someone tries to break in through the firewall or manages to break in the firewall security and tried to have access on any system in the trusted site and alerted the system administrator in case there is a breach in security. However, at present, IDSs suffer from several limitations. To address these limitations and learn network security threats, it is necessary to perform alert correlation. Alert correlation focuses on discovering various relationships between individual alerts. Intrusion alert correlation techniques correlate alerts into meaningful groups or attack scenarios for ease to understand by human analysts. In order to be sure about the alert correlation working properly, this thesis proposed to use attack scenarios by correlating alerts on the basis of prerequisites and consequences of intrusions. The architecture of the experimental environment based on the prerequisites and consequences of different types of attacks, the proposed approach correlates alerts by matching the consequence of some previous alerts and the prerequisite of some later ones with OS-level logs. As a result, the accuracy of the proposed method and its advantage demonstrated to focus on building IDS alert correlation with OS-level logs in information security systems

Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for Critical Infrastructures Security

Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI). This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed. The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors. Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well

Healthcare systems protection: All-in-one cybersecurity approach

Cyber risks are increasingly widespread as healthcare organizations play a defining role in society. Several studies have revealed an increase in cybersecurity threats in the industry, which should concern us all. When it comes to cybersecurity, the consequences can be felt throughout the organization, from the smallest processes to the overall ability of the organization to function. Typically, a cyberattack results in the disclosure of confidential information that undermines your competitive advantage and overall trust. Healthcare as a critical sector has, like many other sectors, a late bet on its transformation to cybersecurity across the board. This dissertation reinforces this need by presenting a value-added solution that helps strengthen the internal processes of healthcare units, enabling their primary mission of saving lives while ensuring the confidentiality and security of patient and institutional data. The solution is presented as a technological composite that translates into a methodology and innovative artifact for integration, monitoring, and security of critical medical infrastructures based on operational use cases. The approach that involves people, processes, and technology is based on a model that foresees the evaluation of potential assets for integration and monitoring, as well as leveraging the efficiency in responding to security incidents with the formal development of a process and mechanisms for alert and resolution of exposure and attack scenarios. On a technical level, the artifact relies on the integration of a medical image archiving system (PACS) into a SIEM to validate application logs that are linked to rules to map anomalous behaviors that trigger the incident management process on an IHS platform with custom-developed features. The choice for integration in the validation prototype of the PACS system is based not only on its importance in the orchestration of activities in the organization of a health institution, but also with the recent recommendations of various cybersecurity agencies and organizations for the importance of their protection in response to the latest trends in cyberattacks. In line with the results obtained, this approach will have full applicability in a real operational context, following the latest practices and technologies in the sector.Os riscos cibernéticos estão cada vez mais difundidos à medida que as organizações de cuidados de saúde desempenham um papel determinante na sociedade. Vários estudos revelaram um aumento das ameaças de cibersegurança no setor, o que nos deve preocupar a todos. Quando se trata de cibersegurança, as consequências podem ser sentidas em toda a organização, desde os mais pequenos processos até à sua capacidade global de funcionamento. Normalmente, um ciberataque resulta na divulgação de informações confidenciais que colocam em causa a sua vantagem competitiva e a confiança geral. O healthcare como setor crítico apresenta, como muitos outros setores, uma aposta tardia na sua transformação para a cibersegurança de forma generalizada. Esta dissertação reforça esta necessidade apresentando uma solução de valor acrescentado que ajuda a potenciar os processos internos das unidades de saúde possibilitando a sua missão principal de salvar vidas, aumentando a garantia de confidencialidade e segurança dos dados dos pacientes e instituições. A solução apresenta-se como um compósito tecnológico que se traduz numa metodologia e artefacto de inovação para integração, monitorização e segurança de infraestruturas médicas críticas baseado em use cases de operação. A abordagem que envolve pessoas, processos e tecnologia assenta num modelo que prevê a avaliação de potenciais ativos para integração e monitorização, como conta alavancar a eficiência na resposta a incidentes de segurança com o desenvolvimento formal de um processo e mecanismos para alerta e resolução de cenários de exposição e ataque. O artefacto, a nível tecnológico, conta com a integração do sistema de arquivo de imagem médica (PACS) num SIEM para validação de logs aplicacionais que estão associados a regras que mapeiam comportamentos anómalos que originam o despoletar do processo de gestão de incidentes numa plataforma IHS com funcionalidades desenvolvidas à medida. A escolha para integração no protótipo de validação do sistema PACS tem por base não só a sua importância na orquestração de atividades na orgânica duma instituição de saúde, mas também com as recentes recomendações de várias agências e organizações de cibersegurança para a importância da sua proteção em resposta às últimas tendências de ciberataques. Em linha com os resultados auscultados, esta abordagem terá total aplicabilidade em contexto real de operação, seguindo as mais recentes práticas e tecnologias no sector

Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for Critical Infrastructures Security

Modern critical infrastructures can be considered as large scale Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Therefore, when designing, implementing, and operating systems for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), the boundaries between physical security and cybersecurity are blurred. Emerging systems for Critical Infrastructures Security and Protection must therefore consider integrated approaches that emphasize the interplay between cybersecurity and physical security techniques. Hence, there is a need for a new type of integrated security intelligence i.e., Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence (CPTI). This book presents novel solutions for integrated Cyber-Physical Threat Intelligence for infrastructures in various sectors, such as Industrial Sites and Plants, Air Transport, Gas, Healthcare, and Finance. The solutions rely on novel methods and technologies, such as integrated modelling for cyber-physical systems, novel reliance indicators, and data driven approaches including BigData analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the presented approaches are sector agnostic i.e., applicable to different sectors with a fair customization effort. Nevertheless, the book presents also peculiar challenges of specific sectors and how they can be addressed. The presented solutions consider the European policy context for Security, Cyber security, and Critical Infrastructure protection, as laid out by the European Commission (EC) to support its Member States to protect and ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructures. Most of the co-authors and contributors are from European Research and Technology Organizations, as well as from European Critical Infrastructure Operators. Hence, the presented solutions respect the European approach to CIP, as reflected in the pillars of the European policy framework. The latter includes for example the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), the Directive on protecting European Critical Infrastructures, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Cybersecurity Act Regulation. The sector specific solutions that are described in the book have been developed and validated in the scope of several European Commission (EC) co-funded projects on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), which focus on the listed sectors. Overall, the book illustrates a rich set of systems, technologies, and applications that critical infrastructure operators could consult to shape their future strategies. It also provides a catalogue of CPTI case studies in different sectors, which could be useful for security consultants and practitioners as well

Integrating earthquake early warnings into business continuity and organisational resilience: lessons learned from Mexico City

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is becoming a popular tool for mitigating earthquake-induced losses. However, the current literature separates the EEW's technical components and their operational and behavioural implications. This paper investigates how EEW can be integrated into business continuity practices, organisational resilience, and disaster risk reduction. We use a mixed-method approach to analyse EEW perceptions in the case study of Mexico City (Mexico), a city characterised by high seismic hazard, and social and physical exposure/vulnerability. Our dataset includes evidence from 15 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the public and private sectors (e.g., governments, enterprises) and 78 valid questionnaires compiled by local organisations, including civil protection, education institutions, and enterprises. Our results reveal inconsistencies between technical EEW methodologies and their integration in three core domains of organisational practices: accountability, governance, and jurisdiction; standardisation of plans and procedures; training and education. Finally, we highlight open challenges for future research

MS IPTV audit collection services

Tese de mestrado em Segurança Informática, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2011Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (MS IPTV), uma plataforma de televisão digital, levou o conceito de televisão a uma dimensão totalmente nova. MS IPTV é um sistema onde o serviço de televisão digital é entregue aos clientes usando Internet Protocol (IP), através de uma conexão de banda larga. Com o advento do IPTV começaram a aparecer novas situações relacionadas com a segurança da televisão, uma vez que, a infra-estrutura começou a ganhar complexidade e exposição a uma série de novos riscos. Por esta razão, a segurança numa infra-estrutura de MS IPTV não é apenas mais uma funcionalidade, mas sim uma necessidade. Podemos mesmo dizer que hoje em dia é obrigatório aguçar o engenho para estar um passo à frente dos atacantes, uma vez que estes estão sempre à espera de uma brecha, para comprometer os sistemas. Uma infra-estrutura como o MS IPTV armazena por omissão dados relativos ao comportamento dos utilizadores ao nível dos logs, no entanto esta informação só se torna relevante se puder ser consultada e analisada com o objetivo de proporcionar uma compreensão a alto nível sobre os diferentes padrões que estão a ocorrer nos servidores ou no comportamento dos utilizadores, uma tarefa que envolve poderosas técnicas de data parsing. A tese apresenta uma abordagem que combina técnicas de data parsing, a fim de analisar os logs relevantes da infra-estrutura de MS IPTV, com o objetivo principal de aumentar a segurança através da investigação dos tipos de informações adicionais que pode ser extraída. Tentámos assim entender se é possível determinar que tipos de ataques estão a ser perpetrados contra a infra-estrutura MS IPTV, com base na análise dos logs. Como o foco central desta tese está no diagnóstico, propomos uma abordagem para descobrir ataques, onde os logs são verificados para identificar grupos coerentes de ocorrências susceptíveis de constituir ataques que apelidámos de padrões. Nos testes, verificámos que a nossa abordagem consegue bons resultados na descoberta de ataques. Os resultados obtidos têm a vantagem adicional de poderem ser integrados na ferramenta de monitorização utilizada pelas equipas de operação dos sistemas da Portugal Telecom, o System Center Operations Manager (SCOM).Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TeleVision (MS IPTV), one of the platforms for digital TV, took television to an all new dimension level. MS IPTV is described as a system where a digital television service is delivered to consumers using the Internet Protocol over a broadband connection. Since the infrastructure started to gain complexity and exposure to a number of new risks, never envisaged situations related to television security started to appear. For this reason, MS IPTV security is not only a great asset, but also a necessity. Nowadays it is mandatory to sharpen the wit to get ahead of attackers, who are always waiting for a breach to compromise our systems. MS IPTV log servers collect information about user and system behavior. However, this information only becomes relevant if it can be queried and analyzed with the purpose of providing high-level understanding about the different patterns. This task must comprise powerful data parsing techniques, since MS IPTV is able to generate close to one terabyte of logs per day. This thesis presents an approach that combines data parsing techniques in order to analyze relevant MS IPTV logs, with the main objective to increase security through the investigation of what type of additional information can be extracted from the server log files of a MS IPTV platform. The thesis focus is on diagnosis, trying to understand if it is possible to determine what type of attacks are being perpetrated against the MS IPTV infrastructure. We propose an approach for discovering attacks, where the application logs are scanned to identify coherent groups of occurrences that we call patterns, which are likely to constitute attacks. Our results showed that our approach achieves good results in discovering potential attacks. Our output results can be integrated into the MS IPTV monitoring system tool SCOM (System Center Operations Manager), which is an additional advantage over the other monitoring and log management systems