The Nuclear Radiation Center has funding to support a graduate student for three years. The grant amount is approximately $200,000—after deduction of F&A the total amount that is available for stipend, benefits, tuition and supplies is $113,155 (for three years). The purpose of the project is to study vulnerabilities of digital control systems of research nuclear reactors and to develop counter measures against cyber-attack. Here is a short description:
Nuclear research reactors (NRRs) are safety critical cyber physical systems (CPSs) exhibiting complex behavior in the discrete and continuous domains. Of concern is the potential for latent vulnerabilities and compound exposures in the control systems of such reactors. The migration from analog to digital control and to a more modular design and engineering process creates new opportunities for exploitation and attack. A systematic analysis of present and future NRR control systems is vital to understanding their susceptibility to cyber attack. It is unclear that the prevailing safety mechanisms are or will be adequate against complex attack vectors. Unfortunately, diagnostic tools are deficient in identifying compound exposure interactions creating pathways by which (1) NRR control systems may be attacked and (2) emergency systems may be defeated. This project seeks to address this gap by using a special framework that links a simulation platform, a graph-based analytical capability, and a Honeynet to map the attack surface of NRR control systems. The framework also permits the exploration of remediation strategies and the effects of counter measures to threats.
Interested faculty are invited to contact Donald Wall (Director, Nuclear Radiation Center) at Donald.wall@wsu.edu for further information.
