Multivariable Heuristic Approach to Intrusion Detection in Network Environments

• Main Authors: Marcin Niemiec, Rafał Kościej, Bartłomiej Gdowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Entropy
• Subjects: cybersecurity; intrusion detection; network attack; heuristic algorithm, flags; entropy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/6/776

The Internet is an inseparable part of our contemporary lives. This means that protection against threats and attacks is crucial for major companies and for individual users. There is a demand for the ongoing development of methods for ensuring security in cyberspace. A crucial cybersecurity solution is intrusion detection systems, which detect attacks in network environments and responds appropriately. This article presents a new multivariable heuristic intrusion detection algorithm based on different types of flags and values of entropy. The data is shared by organisations to help increase the effectiveness of intrusion detection. The authors also propose default values for parameters of a heuristic algorithm and values regarding detection thresholds. This solution has been implemented in a well-known, open-source system and verified with a series of tests. Additionally, the authors investigated how updating the variables affects the intrusion detection process. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach and heuristic algorithm.