A Quantitative Framework for Cyber Moving Target Defenses

Abstract

Moving Target Defenses (MTDs) are techniques used to defend computer networks that seek to delay or prevent attacks during any phase of the cyber kill chain by dynamically changing the makeup of the systems or network such that an effective attack cannot be planned or executed. There are a variety of methods available to implement MTDs, such as dynamically changing network addresses, memory addresses, user-level services, or even operating systems or data. These changes can take the form of changing signatures or outward appearance, or actual changes in network configuration or software.