A taxonomy of cyber attack and defence mechanisms for emergency management networks

Abstract

Emergency management is increasingly dependent on networks for information gathering, coordination and physical system control, and consequently is increasingly vulnerable to network failures. A cyber attack could cause such network failures intentionally, so as to impede the work of first responders and maximise the impact of a physical emergency. We propose a taxonomy of existing and potential research that is relevant in this setting, covering attack types that have already occurred or are likely to occur, and defence mechanisms that are already in use or would be applicable.