Rule-Based Threat Analysis Methodology for Cyber-Physical Systems in Healthcare

Abstract

Cyber-physical system (CPS) integration in the field of contemporary healthcare has completely changed patient monitoring and management. But because these systems are linked, they are vulnerable to different kinds of cyber attacks, which calls for strong security protocols. This work aims to proactively identify and reduce possible security risks by proposing a Rule- Based Threat Analysis Methodology (RBTAM) specifically designed for CPS in healthcare environments. RBTAM uses formalized rules to methodically evaluate threats in the physical and cyberspaces. Its foundations are in discrete mathematics. The process starts with identifying the parts and vulnerabilities of the system, then rules capturing possible threat scenarios are formulated. Among the many things covered by these regulations are denial of service, hardware malfunctions, data tampering, and unauthorized access. By means of an extensive analysis process, RBTAM assesses the probability and consequences of threats found on the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of healthcare systems. Through the facilitation of the prioritization of mitigation measures, this analysis helps healthcare professionals to efficiently distribute resources and reduce possible hazards to data security and patient safety. Important elements of RBTAM are the creation of threat scenarios specific to healthcare settings, the development of security rules based on system architecture, and the incorporation of real-time monitoring systems to identify and address new threats. Furthermore, the approach stresses feedback loops for ongoing improvement, which guarantees flexibility to changing cyberthreats and technology developments. We provide a case study of RBTAM application in a simulated CPS healthcare setting to illustrate its effectiveness. Results show that by efficiently identifying and reducing possible security risks, RBTAM improves the general resistance of healthcare systems to cyberattacks. In the ever-connected healthcare environment, RBTAM provides healthcare professionals and system administrators the tools and insights they need to protect patient well-being and data integrity through a proactive and methodical approach to threat analysis in CPS healthcare.