Developing and validating domain specific languages for cyberattack modeling and simulations
Time: Fri 2026-02-06 13.00
Location: Kollegiesalen, Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm
Video link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/65337054278
Language: English
Subject area: Electrical Engineering
Doctoral student: PhD Student Sotirios Katsikeas , Nätverk och systemteknik
Opponent: Reader in Cyber Security and Information Systems Cherdantseva Yulia, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Supervisor: Professor Pontus Johnson, Nätverk och systemteknik
QC 20251217
Abstract
This thesis explores the potential of domain-specific languages (DSLs) to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and expressiveness of cyberattack modeling and simulation. Motivated by the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, this work addresses the limitations of traditional modeling approaches by developing and validating two novel DSLs: one tailored for vehicular systems and another for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) domain. These languages provide specialized vocabulary and syntax for describing attack patterns, system behaviors, and defense mechanisms concisely and straightforwardly. Through a series of experiments and case studies, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of these DSLs in capturing the complexities of real-world cyberattacks. These languages enable the automatic generation of attack graphs from system architecture models, streamlining threat identification and enhancing the alignment of security measures with established frameworks for cybersecurity professionals. This thesis contributes to the advancement of cyberattack modeling and simulation techniques, providing cybersecurity professionals with tools to express, analyze, and predict the behavior of cyberattacks.