IntroductionIntroduction

(Based on Lecture slides by J. H. Wang)(Based on Lecture slides by J. H. Wang)

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. position unassailable. ——The Art of War, The Art of War, Sun TzuSun Tzu

The combination of space, time, and The combination of space, time, and strength that must be considered as the strength that must be considered as the basic elements of this theory of defense basic elements of this theory of defense makes this a fairly complicated matter. makes this a fairly complicated matter. Consequently, it is not easy to find a fixed Consequently, it is not easy to find a fixed point of departurepoint of departure. . — — On War, Carl Von ClausewitzOn War, Carl Von Clausewitz

Computer SecurityComputer Security

The protection afforded to an automated The protection afforded to an automated information system in order to attain the information system in order to attain the applicable objectives of preserving the applicable objectives of preserving the integrityintegrity, , availabilityavailability and and confidentialityconfidentiality of of information system resources (includes information system resources (includes hardware, software, firmware, hardware, software, firmware, information/data, and telecommunications)information/data, and telecommunications)[NIST 1995][NIST 1995]

Key Security ConceptsKey Security Concepts

Three Key Objectives

Confidentiality Data confidentiality Privacy

Integrity Data integrity System integrity

Availability Additional concepts

Authenticity Accountability

Levels of ImpactLevels of Impact

3 levels of impact from a security breach3 levels of impact from a security breach LowLow ModerateModerate HighHigh

Examples of Security Examples of Security RequirementsRequirements

confidentiality – student gradesconfidentiality – student grades integrity – patient informationintegrity – patient information availability – authentication serviceavailability – authentication service

Computer Security ChallengesComputer Security Challenges

1.1. not simplenot simple2.2. must consider potential attacksmust consider potential attacks3.3. procedures used counter-intuitiveprocedures used counter-intuitive4.4. involve algorithms and secret infoinvolve algorithms and secret info5.5. must decide where to deploy mechanismsmust decide where to deploy mechanisms6.6. battle of wits between attacker / adminbattle of wits between attacker / admin7.7. not perceived on benefit until failsnot perceived on benefit until fails8.8. requires regular monitoringrequires regular monitoring9.9. too often an after-thoughttoo often an after-thought10.10. regarded as impediment to using systemregarded as impediment to using system

Aspects of SecurityAspects of Security

3 aspects of information security:3 aspects of information security: security attacksecurity attack security mechanism: detect, prevent, security mechanism: detect, prevent,

recoverrecover security servicesecurity service

termsterms threat threat –– a a potential for violation of securitypotential for violation of security attack attack –– an an assault on system security, a assault on system security, a

deliberate attempt to evade security servicesdeliberate attempt to evade security services

Passive Attacks (1)Passive Attacks (1)Release of Message ContentsRelease of Message Contents

Passive Attacks (2)Passive Attacks (2)Traffic AnalysisTraffic Analysis

Passive attacks do not affect system resources Eavesdropping, monitoring

Two types of passive attacks Release of message contents Traffic analysis

Passive attacks are very difficult to detect Message transmission apparently normal

• No alteration of the data Emphasis on prevention rather than detection

• By means of encryption

Active Attacks (1)Active Attacks (1)MasqueradeMasquerade

Active Attacks (2)Active Attacks (2)ReplayReplay

Active Attacks (3)Active Attacks (3)Modification of MessagesModification of Messages

Active Attacks (4)Active Attacks (4)Denial of ServiceDenial of Service

Active attacks try to alter system resources or affect their operation

Modification of data, or creation of false data Four categories

Masquerade Replay Modification of messages Denial of service: preventing normal use

• A specific target or entire network Difficult to prevent

The goal is to detect and recover

Security ServiceSecurity Service

enhance security of data processing systems enhance security of data processing systems and information transfers of an organizationand information transfers of an organization

intended to counter security attacksintended to counter security attacks using one or more security mechanisms using one or more security mechanisms often replicates functions normally associated often replicates functions normally associated

with physical documentswith physical documents• which, for example, have signatures, dates; need which, for example, have signatures, dates; need

protection from disclosure, tampering, or protection from disclosure, tampering, or destruction; be notarized or witnessed; be destruction; be notarized or witnessed; be recorded or licensedrecorded or licensed

Security MechanismSecurity Mechanism

feature designed to detect, prevent, or feature designed to detect, prevent, or recover from a security attackrecover from a security attack

no single mechanism that will support all no single mechanism that will support all services requiredservices required

however however one particular element underlies one particular element underlies many of the security mechanisms in use:many of the security mechanisms in use: cryptographic techniquescryptographic techniques

hence our focus on this topichence our focus on this topic