Intelligent Attacks on Cyber-Physical Systems and Critical Infrastructures

TL;DR

This paper reviews the rise of AI-driven intelligent cyberattacks on cyber-physical systems and critical infrastructures, discussing methods, tools, mitigation strategies, and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of AI-based attack techniques and mitigation strategies in CPS and critical infrastructure environments, highlighting current methods and future challenges.

Findings

AI algorithms enable sophisticated cyberattacks on CPS and critical infrastructures.

Various AI-driven tools automate penetration testing in IT and OT environments.

Mitigation strategies focus on disrupting AI learning processes to enhance security.

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the evolving landscape of attacks in cyber-physical systems (CPS) and critical infrastructures, highlighting the possible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to develop intelligent cyberattacks. It describes various existing methods used to carry out intelligent attacks in Operational Technology (OT) environments and discusses AI-driven tools that automate penetration tests in Information Technology (IT) systems, which could potentially be used as attack tools. The chapter also discusses mitigation strategies to counter these emerging intelligent attacks by hindering the learning process of AI-based attacks and points to future research directions on the matter.