Telecommunications Networks Risk Assessment with Bayesian Networks

We propose a solution which provides a system operator with valuation of security risk introduced by various components of the communication and information system. This risk signature of the system enables the operator to make an informed decision about which network elements shall be used in order to provide a service requested by the user while minimising security risk related to service execution. In considered scenario transmitted data can be intercepted, modified or dropped by an attacker. Each network component and path can be potentially used to compromise information, since an adversary is able to utilise various vulnerabilities of network elements in order to perform an attack. The impact and probability of such successful attacks can be assessed by analysing the severity of the vulnerabilities and the difficulty of exploiting them, including the required equipment and knowledge. In consequence, each possible service work-flow can be assigned a security risk signature.