The Optimal Defense of Network Connectivity
45 Pages Posted: 21 Jan 2016
Date Written: November 12, 2015
Abstract
Maintaining the security of critical infrastructure networks is vital for a modern economy. This paper examines a game-theoretic model of attack and defense of a network in which the defender’s objective is to maintain network connectivity and the attacker’s objective is to destroy a set of nodes that disconnects the network. The conflict at each node is modeled as a contest in which the player that allocates the higher level of force wins the node. Although there are multiple mixed-strategy equilibria, we characterize correlation structures in the players’ multivariate joint distributions of force across nodes that arise in all equilibria. For example, in all equilibria the attacker utilizes a stochastic ‘guerrilla warfare’ strategy in which a single random [minimal] set of nodes that disconnects the network is attacked.
Keywords: allocation game, asymmetric conflict, attack and defense, Colonel Blotto Game, network connectivity, weakest-link, best-shot
JEL Classification: C720, D740
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation