An Analysis of the Computer and Network Attack Taxonomy

<p>The Air Force's dependence on the Internet continues to increase daily. The Internet has become a staple of the office environment along side the telephone the fax machine and the computer. However this increased dependence comes with risks. The popularity and potential of the Internet attracts users with illegal as well as legal intentions. Since the Air Force considers the Internet an integral component of its Information Operations strategy the Air Force must be confident that it can trust the security of this component. Therefore reliable methods and information that helps the Air Force classify the risks associated with the Internet can help the Air Force determine the best processes to assure the security of its use of this resource. This thesis examines the computer and network attack taxonomies developed by John Howard. Howard developed the taxonomy to help him classify Internet security incidents as part of his doctoral research and as part of a follow-on project to develop a common language for computer security. The taxonomy is a possible method that the Air Force can use to help it classify Internet security attacks and incidents. This researcher concluded that the computer and network attack taxonomies were satisfactory. The questionnaire respondents appeared to prefer the 1998 version more. In addition this study offers several areas of improvement to the taxonomy that can help it become more widely accepted. This researcher also concluded that organizations responsible for the collection and distribution of Internet security information do explicitly collect some but not all information useful as input into the taxonomy.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>