Network Analysis

3 Pages 746 Words

Network Analysis pg. 1

The success of virtually all organizations in business, government, and defense is dependent on the availability and correct functioning of large-scale networked information systems. Because of the severe consequences of failure, organizations are focusing on system survivability as a key risk management step. Survivability is the capability of a system to fulfill its mission in a timely manner, even in the presence of attacks or failures. Survivability goes beyond security and fault tolerance to focus on delivery of essential services even when systems are penetrated or experience failures and rapid recovery of full services when conditions improve. Unlike traditional security measures that require central control and administration, survivability addresses highly distributed network environments that lack central control and unified security policies.
The focus of survivability is on delivery of essential services and preservation of essential assets. Essential services and assets are those system capabilities that are critical to fulfilling mission objectives. Survivability depends on three key capabilities, resistance, recognition, and recovery. Resistance is the capability of a system to repel attacks. Recognition is the capability to detect attacks as they occur and to evaluate the extent of damage and compromise. Recovery, a hallmark of survivability, is the capability to maintain essential services and assets during attack, limit the extent of damage, and restore full services following attack.
The Network Analysis method is a practical engineering process that permits systematic assessment of the survivability properties of proposed systems, existing systems, and modifications to existing systems. The analysis is carried out at the architecture level by a team of system architects, developers. The method proceeds through a series of joint working sessions, culminating in a briefing on findings and...