Modeling the propagation of security threats: An e-learning case study

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel linear model for modeling the propagation of security threats among the system's architectural components which is the Threats Propagation model (TP). Our model is based on the Mean Failure Cost cyber-security model (MFC) and applied to an e-learning system. The Threats propagation model (TP) enables to show if a threat can propagate to other e-learning systems components. Then, it provides an efficient diagnostic about the most critical threats in order to make the best decision and to establish the suitable countermeasures to avoid them. Our proposed model is useful to implement a safe and secure e-learning environment.