Formal modeling and quantitative evaluation for information system survivability based on PEPA

Survivability should be considered beyond security for information system. To assess system survivability accurately, for improvement, a formal modeling and analysis method based on stochastic process algebra is proposed in this article. By abstracting the interactive behaviors between intruders and information system, a transferring graph of system state oriented survivability is constructed. On that basis, parameters are defined and system behaviors are characterized precisely with performance evaluation process algebra (PEPA), simultaneously considering the influence of different attack modes. Ultimately the formal model for survivability is established and quantitative analysis results are obtained by PEPA Workbench tool. Simulation experiments show the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed method, and it can help to direct the designation of survivable system.