Getting more ‘intelligent’ about internet security
Most of us are highly aware of the need to protect our personal data on the internet – our email accounts, bank accounts, health information and so much more. As we rapidly move to the Internet of things (IoT), the ‘things’ requiring protection range from home ovens to sophisticated industrial tools, self-driving cars and remotely operated surgical equipment. Underlying these and more, including military communications and defence, is the electric power grid. Current internet protection is primarily static, detecting and blocking portions of an IoT system under attack but not rerouting information intelligently and avoiding glitches or worse. The EU-funded SerIoT project has delivered an unprecedented adaptive and intelligent solution by the same name. It will ensure IoT networks safely continue business as usual regardless of network conditions.
Cognitive intelligence and self-awareness for IoT
IoT networks connect sensors and actuators related to a physical system like a factory, vehicle or smart grid with software systems that control the system’s functions. Conventional networks use hardware like routers and switches to direct network traffic. SerIoT relies on cognitive intelligent control based on random neural networks and implements the controls through software-defined networking (SDN). SDN uses software-based technologies to control routers and direct network traffic in the form of internet packets, or blocks of information. This also enables flexible and dynamic configuration of ‘virtual networks’ from physical ones depending on needs at the time. SerIoT added to this flexibility by integrating AI into the packets themselves, creating a patented cognitive packet network (CPN). Erol Gelenbe of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Informatics, Polish Academy of Sciences and SerIoT coordinator explains: “SerIoT introduced self-awareness into SDN through a CPN in which the packets route themselves adaptively via SDN controllers with integrated AI. Attack and security detectors support rerouting of traffic to avoid items or areas that may be insecure due to threats or attacks.” Each cognitive packet is thus self-aware, adaptive and intelligent, reacting not only to security issues but also network congestion or changes in energy consumption to improve the IoT system’s or network’s performance. The background and description of the practical working system have been published.
A dynamic line of defence that goes where it is needed
Gelenbe summarises: “SerIoT not only allows the IoT system to operate normally while under attack, but even at such times it saves energy and optimises performance. It can be installed in existing SDN technology, allowing the approach to be ported to many unforeseen applications.” SerIoT moves the field of cybersecurity from the static mentality to an active, highly mobile, agile and adaptive system that not only defends against cyberattacks but moves critical traffic away from attack paths, adds Gelenbe. The large-scale pilots, including with project partner Deutsche Telecom, targeted the smart grid, which uses the IoT extensively, exploiting smart meters to optimise electricity production and distribution. Smart vehicles and Industry 4.0 robots were also tested. SerIoT is available for demonstration and beta testing by commercial partners and is being exploited in the ongoing Horizon 2020 IOTAC project. SerIoT will ensure that global IoT traffic agilely detours around malicious and natural obstacles large and small, for business as usual.
Keywords
SerIoT, IoT, internet, SDN, cybersecurity, AI, Internet of things, software-defined networking, cognitive packet network
