The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity awarded Indian-American computer science professor Brajendra Panda $637,223 (Rs 5.2 crore) to enhance recovery strategies for critical infrastructure systems following a cyberattack. The electricity system, gas and oil pipelines, military installations, and hospitals are all examples of critical infrastructure (CI).
Panda, a computer science and computer engineering professor at the University of Arkansas, claims that the dependency and interconnectedness of CI systems makes them more vulnerable to intrusions and can enable initial harm to spread swiftly to other systems. “As a result, a minor flaw in one of these systems can cripple a vast number of them,” Panda explained. “By definition, these systems are heterogeneous in nature, containing both heterogeneous software and data.”
Because CI systems are complicated, recovering them can create considerable delays, which is troubling considering the time-sensitive nature of the functions these systems deliver, such as electricity. The ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline last year is an example of a recent attack on important infrastructure. The pipeline system begins in Houston, Texas, and mostly transports gasoline and jet fuel to the southeastern United States.
The attack on computerised equipment shut down the pipeline for six days, while the firm paid the assailants an estimated $4.4 million in Bitcoin (though much of it was subsequently recovered). Panda’s goal is to create quick, precise, and effective recovery mechanisms that, when combined with the quick damage assessment techniques he’s already devised, will provide a “integrated suite solution.” This allows affected CI systems to continue operating while maintaining as many key functions as feasible. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity initiative is managed by the National Cryptologic School of the National Security Agency.
(source : IANS)
