Project Proposal: Implementation of a Network-Based Security Information System

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PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE IN FULFILMENT OF REQUIREMENT FOR AWARD OF MASTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MIT); UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, NIGERIA

June, 2024

Supervisor: Dr.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Background
In today’s digital age, securing network infrastructure has become paramount. Organizations face a growing number of cyber threats, including malware, phishing, and unauthorized access. These threats can lead to significant data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A Network-Based Security Information System (NBSIS) can help mitigate these risks by providing real-time monitoring, threat detection, and automated response capabilities. This project aims to design and implement an NBSIS to enhance the security posture of an organization’s network.
Problem Description
The objective of this project is to develop a network-based security information system that monitors network traffic, identifies potential security threats, and responds to these threats in real-time. By analyzing network data and security logs, we aim to create a system that can detect anomalies, provide alerts, and automatically initiate mitigation actions. This system will help organizations protect their network infrastructure, reduce the risk of cyber attacks, and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their data.
Key Objectives
Threat Detection: Develop a system that can accurately detect a wide range of network-based threats, including malware, intrusion attempts, and data exfiltration.
Real-Time Monitoring: Implement continuous network monitoring to identify and respond to threats as they occur.
Automated Response: Create mechanisms for automated threat response to minimize the time between threat detection and mitigation.
User-Friendly Interface: Design an intuitive user interface for network administrators to monitor security status, review alerts, and configure system settings.
Scalability: Ensure the system can scale to accommodate large networks and high volumes of data without compromising performance.
Data Description
The project will use a combination of simulated and real-world network traffic data. This data will include:
Network logs (e.g., firewall logs, router logs)
Packet capture data (PCAP files)
Threat intelligence feeds
System logs from servers and workstations
Tasks
Data Collection and Preprocessing Collect network traffic data from various sources.
Preprocess the data to remove noise and irrelevant information.
Normalize data formats to ensure consistency across different sources.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify common patterns and anomalies in the network traffic.
Use visual tools to understand the distribution and correlation of different types of network events.

Model Development Develop machine learning models for threat detection using algorithms such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Neural Networks.
Experiment with different feature extraction techniques to improve model accuracy.

System Implementation Design and implement the network monitoring components, including data collection agents and central analysis server.
Develop automated response mechanisms to mitigate detected threats.
Create a user-friendly dashboard for network administrators.

Model Evaluation Evaluate the performance of the threat detection models using metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC AUC.
Use cross-validation techniques to ensure model robustness and generalizability.

System Testing and Validation Test the entire system in a controlled environment to ensure all components work together seamlessly.
Validate the system’s effectiveness using simulated attack scenarios.

Documentation and Reporting Document the system architecture, implementation details, and user guide.
Prepare a comprehensive report detailing the project’s objectives, methodologies, results, and recommendations.

Deliverables
Network-Based Security Information System Fully functional NBSIS with real-time monitoring and automated response capabilities.
Source code and configuration files for system deployment.

Comprehensive Report Detailed documentation of the system architecture, model development, and evaluation results.
Insights and recommendations for improving network security.

User Guide A user-friendly manual for network administrators to operate and configure the system.

Success Criteria
Achieving high accuracy in threat detection with minimal false positives and false negatives.
Ensuring real-time monitoring and response capabilities without significant latency.
Providing a user-friendly interface that enhances the operational efficiency of network administrators.
Demonstrating the system’s scalability and robustness through extensive testing.
Stakeholders
University faculty and IT department.
Network administrators and security professionals.
Students and researchers in cybersecurity.
By implementing this Network-Based Security Information System, we aim to provide a robust solution for real-time threat detection and automated response, thereby enhancing the security of organizational networks and contributing to the field of cybersecurity.
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