A two-track approach to CPS Reconnaissance: causal-graphs and axiomatic design

Project date

1 October 2019 – 1 March 2023

completed

Co-PI

Dr Christopher Poskitt, Dr Venkata Palleti

Partners & sponsors

Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore

Researchers

Dr Andrew Yoong Cheah Huei, SUTD

Project manager

Angie Ng

Research Category

Cyber Physical Systems

In this project we will develop two novel and complementary approaches in the context of CPS design. First, we will investigate axiomatic design theory, in which the functional requirements of the CPS are related to a set of design parameters, and systematically analysed using matrix methods. Second, we will investigate design graphs, in which causal relations and dependencies are modelled, and used to analytically identify different clusters of CPS components, as well as ‘weaker’ nodes of the system that could be targeted by an attacker. Finally, we will combine the approaches by deriving invariants for the implemented CPS based on the conditions and relations identified in the design stage. These methods will be applied to water supply, distribution, and cascading effects.