Benjamin John Anderson

Enhanced Training for Cyber Situational Awareness

A study was conducted in which participants received either tool-based or narrative-based training and then completed challenges associated with network security threats. Three teams were formed: (1) Tool-Based, for which each participant received tool-based training; (2) Narrative-Based, for which each participant received narrative-based training and (3) Combined, for which three participants received tool-based training and two received narrative-based training. Results showed that the Narrative-Based team recognized the spatial-temporal relationship between events and constructed a timeline that was a reasonable approximation of ground truth. In contrast, the Combined team produced a linear sequence of events that did not encompass the relationships between different adversaries. Finally, the Tool-Based team demonstrated little appreciation of either the spatial or temporal relationships between events. These findings suggest that participants receiving Narrative-Based training were able to use the software tools in a way that allowed them to gain a greater level of situation awareness.

Cost analysis for flat-plate concentrators employing microscale photovoltaic cells

Microsystems Enabled Photovoltaics (MEPV) is a relatively new field that uses microsystems tools and manufacturing techniques familiar to the semiconductor industry to produce microscale photovoltaic cells. The miniaturization of these PV cells creates new possibilities in system designs that may be able to achieve the US Department of Energy (DOE) price target of

Simulation of Workflow and Threat Characteristics for Cyber Security Incident Response Teams

1/Wp by 2020 for utility-scale electricity generation. In this article, we introduce analytical tools and techniques to estimate the costs associated with a concentrating photovoltaic system that uses microscale photovoltaic cells and miniaturized optics. The overall model comprises the component costs associated with the PV cells, concentrating optics, balance of systems, installation, and operation. Estimates include profit margin and are discussed in the context of current and projected prices for non-concentrating and concentrating photovoltaics. Our analysis indicates that cells with a width of between 100 and 300 μm will minimize the module costs of the initial design within the range of concentration ratios considered. To achieve the DOE price target of

Photo-Voltaic System Using Micro-Optics

1/Wp by 2020, module efficiencies over 35% will likely be necessary.

216 cell microconcentrator module with moderate concentration, ±4° acceptance angle, and 13.3 mm focal length

Within large organizations, the defense of cyber assets generally involves the use of various mechanisms, such as intrusion detection systems, to alert cyber security personnel to suspicious network activity. Resulting alerts are reviewed by the organization’s cyber security personnel to investigate and assess the threat and initiate appropriate actions to defend the organization’s network assets. While automated software routines are essential to cope with the massive volumes of data transmitted across data networks, the ultimate success of an organization’s efforts to resist adversarial attacks upon their cyber assets relies on the effectiveness of individuals and teams. This paper reports research to understand the factors that impact the effectiveness of Cyber Security Incidence Response Teams (CSIRTs). Specifically, a simulation is described that captures the workflow within a CSIRT. The simulation is then demonstrated in a study comparing the differential response time to threats that vary with respect to key characteristics (attack trajectory, targeted asset and perpetrator). It is shown that the results of the simulation correlate with data from the actual incident response times of a professional CSIRT.

Thermal stability of high temperature epoxy adhesives by thermogravimetric and adhesive strength measurements

A photo-voltaic system is under development that uses large arrays of plastic micro-lenses, each illuminating a tiny PV cell stack. This 100-sun system has ±2.50 field of view. Cell efficiency target is >50% with 40% overall system efficiency.

Thermal stability and lifetime estimates of a high temperature epoxy by Tg reduction

We report on a demonstration prototype module created to explore the viability of using microscale solar cells combined with microlens array concentrators to create a thin, flat-plate concentrator module with a relatively large acceptance angle for use with coarse two-axis tracking systems designed for flat-plate, one-sun modules. The demonstration module was comprised of an array of 216 cell/microlens units and was manufactured using standard tools common to the integrated circuit, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), and electronics assembly industries. The module demonstrated an acceptance angle of ±4°, an optical concentration level of 36X, and a focal depth of 13.3 mm. The acceptance angle and focal depth of the system successfully demonstrated adequate performance for integration into a system using a coarse two-axis tracker for flat-plate modules. To fully take advantage of this system approach, significant future work is required to reduce optical losses, increase cell and module efficiency, reduce the focal length to approximately 5 mm, and increase the concentration level to greater than 100X while maintaining an acceptance angle of at least ±2°.