How to Defend a Network?

55 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2013

See all articles by Marcin Dziubiński

Marcin Dziubiński

University of Warsaw - Institute of Informatics

Sanjeev Goyal

University of Cambridge

Date Written: December 11, 2013

Abstract

Modern economies rely heavily on their infrastructure networks. These networks face threats ranging from natural disasters to human attacks. As networks are pervasive, the investments needed to protect them are very large; this motivates the study of targeted defence. What are the 'key' nodes to defend to maximize functionality of the network? What are the incentives of individual nodes to protect themselves in a networked environment and how do these incentives correspond to collective welfare?

We provide a characterization of equilibrium attack and defence in terms of two classical concepts in graph theory - separators and transversals. We study the welfare costs of decentralized defence.

We apply our results to the defence of the US Airport Network and the London Underground.

Suggested Citation

Dziubiński, Marcin and Goyal, Sanjeev, How to Defend a Network? (December 11, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2367012 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2367012

Marcin Dziubiński (Contact Author)

University of Warsaw - Institute of Informatics ( email )

Banacha 2
Warsaw, 02-097
Poland

Sanjeev Goyal

University of Cambridge ( email )

Trinity Ln
Cambridge, CB2 1TN
United Kingdom

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