Adaptive response system for distributed denial-of-service attacks

Accepted versio

Locating Network Domain Entry and Exit point/path for DDoS Attack Traffic

A method to determine entry and exit points or paths of DDoS attack traffic flows into and out of network domains is proposed. We observe valid source addresses seen by routers from sampled traffic under non-attack conditions. Under attack conditions, we detect route anomalies by determining which routers have been used for unknown source addresses, to construct the attack paths. We consider deployment issues and show results from simulations to prove the feasibility of our scheme. We then implement our Traceback mechanism in C++ and more realistic experiments are conducted. The experiments show that accurate results, with high traceback speed of a few seconds, are achieved. Compared to existing techniques, our approach is non-intrusive, not requiring any changes to the Internet routers and data packets. Precise information regarding the attack is not required allowing a wide variety of DDoS attack detection techniques to be used. The victim is also relieved from the traceback task during an attack. The scheme is simple and efficient, allowing for a fast traceback, and scalable due to the distribution of processing workload. © 2009 IEEE.Accepted versio

Non-intrusive IP Traceback for DDoS Attacks

The paper describes a Non-Intrusive IP traceback scheme which uses sampled traffic under non-attack conditions to build and maintains caches of the valid source addresses transiting network routers. Under attack conditions, route anomalies are detected by determining which routers have been used for unknown source addresses, in order to construct the attack graph. Results of simulation studies are presented. Our approach does not require changes to the Internet routers or protocols. Precise information regarding the attack is not required allowing a wide variety of DDoS attack detection techniques to be used. Our algorithm is simple and efficient, allowing for a fast traceback and the scheme is scalable due to the distribution of processing workload. Copyright 2007 ACM

RNA at the epicentre of human development

The engineering of skeletal muscle requires platforms that facilitate the proliferation and maintenance of primary muscle stem cells (myoblasts) and muscle fibre maturation in a manner that reflects native muscle structure. We have been investigating the use of nanostructured conducting polymer surfaces for the orientation and electrical stimulation of cells and tissues and have developed a hybrid conducting polymer and carbon nanotube plaform, suitable for ex vivo muscle growth, differentiation and electrical stimulation. In this study, Carbon nanotube fibres were laid down in parallel on gold coated mylar. Layers of polypyrrole (doped with pTS) were galvinostatically grown over the carbon nanotube fibre mats to create a nanostructured polypyrrole surface. Myoblasts extracted from 8 week old mice were seeded onto polymer platforms and induced to differentiate into myotubes. Analysis of myofibre differentiation and orientation was then performed. In addition, total RNA was harvested from myotubes that had undergone bipolar electrical stimulation on the platforms 8 hours a day, for 3 days. Whole genome arrays (Codelink) were then used to assess gene expression changes in the electrically stimulated myotubes. Platforms were developed to encourage the alignment and differentiation of skeletal muscle stem cells (myoblasts) to reflect the orientation of mature skeletal muscle. Nanostructured platforms were created by orientation of carbon nanotube fibres on a conducting gold mylar surface, over which a layers of conductive polypyrrole were deposited. Human and murine myoblasts could be grown and differentiated on these platforms without the use of cell adhesion molecules. A significant increase in myotube orientation was seen on nanostructured surfaces, i.e. polypyrrole films with an underlying layer of orientated carbon nanotube fibres. This orientation decreased with increasing thickness of the polypyrrole, suggesting a strong influence of the nanostructure on the orientation of myofibres. In addition, a significant number of gene expression changes were detected in myofibres electrically stimulated on the platforms. A number of these genes were associated with muscle differentiation and myoblast fusion, demonstrating that these platforms can be used to influence the differentiation state of skeletal myoblasts through electrical stimulation. These studies demonstrate that novel hybrid platforms can be used to influence skeletal muscle differentiation ex vivo, through electrical stimulation. In addition these platforms can influence muscle fibre orientation in a manner reflecting the in vivo architecture of the parent tissue. Such platforms have application for controlling the regeneration of skeletal muscle in vivo and for the integration of bionic devices designed to facilitate muscle regeneration and function

Resilient SDN, CDN and ICN Technology and Solutions

Disaster-based resilience issues can severely interrupt communication in networks, making their functions unavailable. Such interruptions may include hardware-/software- related failures or malicious attacks. Especially, the latter is becoming more and more visible with higher intensity and more massive scale. In order to prevent it, new technology concepts and new mitigation strategies are needed. In this chapter, we present the most common cyber-attacks that affect networks based on the concepts of the software defined network (SDN), the content delivery network (CDN) and the information-centric network (ICN). We then indicate solutions to these problems. Finally, we discuss the future opportunities of how the communication networks can be updated to decrease the topological vulnerability to attacks