A Complexity-Informed Approach to Optimise Cyber Defences

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Alevizos, Lampis
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Alevizos, Lampis
author_facet Alevizos, Lampis
contents This paper introduces a novel complexity-informed approach to cybersecurity management, addressing the challenges found within complex cyber defences. We adapt and extend the complexity theory to cybersecurity and develop a quantitative framework that empowers decision-makers with strategies to de-complexify defences, identify improvement opportunities, and resolve bottlenecks. Our approach also provides a solid foundation for critical cybersecurity decisions, such as tooling investment or divestment, workforce capacity planning, and optimisation of processes and capabilities. Through a case study, we detail and validate a systematic method for assessing and managing the complexity within cybersecurity defences. The complexity-informed approach based on MITRE ATT&CK, is designed to complement threat-informed defences. Threat-informed methods focus on understanding and countering adversary tactics, while the complexity-informed approach optimises the underlying defence infrastructure, thereby optimising the overall efficiency and effectiveness of cyber defences.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_15578
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Complexity-Informed Approach to Optimise Cyber Defences
Alevizos, Lampis
Cryptography and Security
This paper introduces a novel complexity-informed approach to cybersecurity management, addressing the challenges found within complex cyber defences. We adapt and extend the complexity theory to cybersecurity and develop a quantitative framework that empowers decision-makers with strategies to de-complexify defences, identify improvement opportunities, and resolve bottlenecks. Our approach also provides a solid foundation for critical cybersecurity decisions, such as tooling investment or divestment, workforce capacity planning, and optimisation of processes and capabilities. Through a case study, we detail and validate a systematic method for assessing and managing the complexity within cybersecurity defences. The complexity-informed approach based on MITRE ATT&CK, is designed to complement threat-informed defences. Threat-informed methods focus on understanding and countering adversary tactics, while the complexity-informed approach optimises the underlying defence infrastructure, thereby optimising the overall efficiency and effectiveness of cyber defences.
title A Complexity-Informed Approach to Optimise Cyber Defences
topic Cryptography and Security
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.15578