Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By : Soledad Antelada Toledano
Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By: Soledad Antelada Toledano

Overview of this book

Discover the core of cybersecurity through gripping real-world accounts of the most common assaults on critical infrastructure – the body of vital systems, networks, and assets so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a nation, its economy, and the public’s health and safety – with this guide to understanding cybersecurity principles. From an introduction to critical infrastructure and cybersecurity concepts to the most common types of attacks, this book takes you through the life cycle of a vulnerability and how to assess and manage it. You’ll study real-world cybersecurity breaches, each incident providing insights into the principles and practical lessons for cyber defenders striving to prevent future breaches. From DDoS to APTs, the book examines how each threat activates, operates, and succeeds. Additionally, you’ll analyze the risks posed by computational paradigms, such as the advancement of AI and quantum computing, to legacy infrastructure. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to identify key cybersecurity principles that can help mitigate evolving attacks to critical infrastructure.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
1
Part 1: Introduction to Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Concepts
5
Part 2: Dissecting Cyberattacks on CI
8
Part 3: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
12
Part 4: What’s Next

DDoS attack

A DDoS attack maliciously aims to interrupt the normal operations of a network, service, website, or online platform by inundating it with excessive traffic from numerous sources. The goal of a DDoS attack is to render the targeted system or service unavailable to its intended users temporarily or, in some cases, for an extended period. Here’s how it works in two basic steps:

  • Step 1 – Multiple attack sources: During a DDoS attack, the perpetrator generally employs a botnet, a network of hijacked computers, to create an overwhelming amount of traffic.
  • Step 2 – Traffic overload: A network of compromised computers sends a flood of requests or data packets, sometimes malformed, to the target simultaneously. The target’s servers or infrastructure become overwhelmed, causing a slowdown or complete disruption of services.

The following diagram illustrates a typical DDoS attack:

Figure 4.1 – DDoS attack

Figure 4.1 – DDoS attack...