Detection of replay attacks in cyber-physical systems using a frequency-based signature

This paper proposes a frequency-based approach for the detection of replay attacks affecting cyber-physical systems (CPS). In particular, the method employs a sinusoidal signal with a time-varying frequency (authentication signal) into the closed-loop system and checks whether the time profile of th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Sánchez Corrales, Helem Sabina, Rotondo, Damiano|||0000-0002-8855-5582, Escobet Canal, Teresa|||0000-0001-6090-1538, Puig Cayuela, Vicenç|||0000-0002-6364-6429, Saludes Closa, Jordi|||0000-0002-6666-1982, Quevedo Casín, Joseba Jokin|||0000-0002-7827-2896
Format: article
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/177795
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/177795
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfranklin.2019.01.005
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Cyber-physical systems
cyber-attacks
replay attacks
signal generator
detector logic
Classificació INSPEC::Cybernetics
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Informàtica::Automàtica i control
Description
Summary:This paper proposes a frequency-based approach for the detection of replay attacks affecting cyber-physical systems (CPS). In particular, the method employs a sinusoidal signal with a time-varying frequency (authentication signal) into the closed-loop system and checks whether the time profile of the frequency components in the output signal are compatible with the authentication signal or not. In order to carry out this target, the couplings between inputs and outputs are eliminated using a dynamic decoupling technique based on vector fitting. In this way, a signature introduced on a specific input channel will affect only the output that is selected to be associated with that input, which is a property that can be exploited to determine which channels are being affected. A bank of band-pass filters is used to generate signals whose energies can be compared to reconstruct an estimation of the time-varying frequency profile. By matching the known frequency profile with its estimation, the detector can provide the information about whether a replay attack is being carried out or not. The design of the signal generator and the detector are thoroughly discussed, and an example based on a quadruple-tank process is used to show the application and effectiveness of the proposed method.