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¹Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.

Correspondence to: Craig Scott, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Morgan State University, 5200 Perring Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21251, U.S.A. Tel.: +1-443-885-1444; Fax: +1-410-319-3843; E-mail: cjscott@eng.morgan.edu

The rapid growth of malicious activities on worldwide communication networks, such as the Internet, has highlighted the need for efficient intrusion detection systems. The efficiency of traditional intrusion detection systems is limited, in part, by their inability to relay effectively relevant information due to their lack of interactive/immersive technologies. In this paper, we explore several network visualization techniques geared toward intrusion detection on small- and large-scale networks. We also examine the use of haptics in network intrusion visualization. By incorporating concepts from electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, and gravitational theory, we show that haptic technologies can provide another dimension of information critical to the efficient visualization of network intrusion data. Furthermore, we explore the applicability of these visualization techniques in conjunction with commercial network intrusion detectors. Finally, we present a network intrusion visualization application with haptic integration, NIVA, which allows the analyst to interactively investigate as well as efficiently detect structured attacks across time and space using advanced interactive three-dimensional displays.

Information Visualization (2003) 2, 82-94. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ivs.9500044

Computer networks; intrusion detection; visualization; haptics