Quantifying IIoT Sensor Node Criticality by Fusing its Data Criticality and Security Vulnerability
Researchers propose a Dempster–Shafer framework fusing IIoT sensor data criticality with CVSS 4.0/3.1 vulnerability scores to rank node criticality.
The paper introduces a framework that evaluates Industrial IoT sensor node criticality by fusing data criticality and cybersecurity vulnerability scores using Dempster–Shafer (D-S) theory. It was validated on a dataset from red wine production and is claimed to generalize to other industrial settings with minimal modification. Results show criticality rankings derived from CVSS 4.0 scores differ significantly from those derived from CVSS 3.1, underscoring how vulnerability scoring methodology affects security prioritization.
- Fuses data criticality and CVSS vulnerability scores using Dempster–Shafer theory
- Validated on red wine production sensor dataset
- CVSS 4.0 rankings differ significantly from CVSS 3.1 rankings
- Framework adaptable to broader industrial applications
Full article206 words · extracted from arxiv.org · click to collapse
The integration of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) into manufacturing has transformed industrial operations by optimising production management and ensuring product quality through smart industrial sensors that regulate processes based on real-time data. However, these sensor nodes are highly vulnerable to cyber threats, posing significant security risks that compromise their reliability and integrity. While existing research explores cybersecurity vulnerabilities and cyberattack-based methods for ranking critical nodes, some studies assess node criticality based on the impact of sensor data on product quality. However, a comprehensive approach that integrates both data criticality and cybersecurity vulnerability remains unexplored. To bridge this gap, this study introduces a novel framework that evaluates IIoT sensor node criticality by leveraging Dempster--Shafer (D-S) theory to fuse data criticality and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The proposed method is validated using a dataset from red wine production, demonstrating its effectiveness in ranking sensor nodes based on both factors. The results show that criticality rankings based on security vulnerability scores computed using CVSS version 4.0 differ significantly from those obtained with CVSS version 3.1, highlighting the influence of enhanced vulnerability assessment methodologies. While initially applied to wine manufacturing, this framework is adaptable to broader industrial applications with minimal modifications, offering a robust approach to securing IIoT-enabled production systems.
Text extracted automatically; images, tables and formatting may be missing. Original: https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.09807