Winter 2004 The Impact of Cyber Attacks on Internet Protocol (IP) Networks

In this issue... Download the Winter 2004 Issue   Overview of Cyber Threats, Mitigation Actions, and Noblis Capabilities 6 The Internet and Cyber Attacks 16 Private Internet Protocol Networks and Cyber Attacks 37 The Noblis Internet Protocol Network Laboratory: A Configurable Internet Protocol Network 44 Modeling Internet Protocol Networks: OPNET and Analytics 52

Introduction

The Internet provides a new level of global expectation for communications and connectivity.
The Internet enables not only the movement of bits-for communicating data, voice,
and video-but also the distribution of knowledge, interchange of ideas among diverse
populations, and completion of complex and simple business transactions. However, the
underlying technology that implements the Internet is susceptible to disruption and attack.
Given the world's increasing dependency on the Internet, such disruption and attacks can
have significant economic and human impacts. Even private networks with limited Internet
connections are at risk because most use the same technology.

Over the last 18 months, Noblis has conducted several research projects to better
understand the vulnerabilities of the Internet and private networks using Internet Protocol
(IP), and to develop approaches for predicting performance of these networks during cyber
attacks. This edition of Sigma presents the initial results of these research projects. Through
a better understanding of vulnerabilities and the development of an analysis approach, Noblis
seeks to find ways to mitigate the risks and impacts of cyber attacks. This initial discussion
of cyber attacks on IP-based networks will be supplemented in future editions of Sigma as
our current research continues to yield results and conclusions.

H. Gilbert Miller, Ph.D.
Corporate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
hgmiller@noblis.org