Networking in the Presence of Adversaries

Abstract : This research addresses tradeoffs between reliability and efficiency of communication networks when the network is subject to attacks by adversaries. The overall objective of this research is twofold. First, this research aims to develop a mathematical theory that characterizes fundamental limits of networking in the presence of inside (Byzantine) adversaries. To this end, the maximum rate of reliable communication is quantified as a function of the number of covert adversarial nodes. Second, this research develops practical coding schemes that guarantee reliable communication (in the information theoretic sense) in the presence of arbitrary attacks by intelligent adversaries. Both source and channel coding aspects are investigated. Extensions to cyber-physical systems are also considered.