How to Implement Network Incident Security in OMNeT++

To implement the network incident security in OMNeT++, we need a network that has to detect, mitigate and handle the different security incidents like unauthorized access, data breaches, or DoS attacks. It contains mechanisms to observe network traffic, detect anomalies, reacts to incidents and retrieves normal operations. Follow the below process to accomplish this in OMNeT++:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Understand the Components

Before implementation, it’s vital to know the key components involved in network incident security:

Network Nodes: Devices like servers, routers, switches, and user devices that develop the network infrastructure.
Security Components: Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Incident Response Systems (IRS) to observe, identify and respond to incidents.
Incident Types: Various kinds of security incidents that might happen like illegal access, data breaches, or DoS attacks.
Threat Actors: Simulated attackers attempting to compromise the network through several attacks.

Define the Network Topology

Begin by describing a network topology in OMNeT using NED language. This topology has network nodes, security components, and attackers and it should be built to mimic realistic network conditions and capable security incidents.

network NetworkIncidentSecurity

{

submodules:

server: NetworkNode {

@display(“p=100,200”);

}

router: Router {

@display(“p=300,200”);

}

firewall: FirewallModule {

@display(“p=200,100”);

}

ids: IDSModule {

@display(“p=400,100”);

}

irs: IncidentResponseSystem {

@display(“p=500,200”);

}

attacker: AttackerNode {

@display(“p=600,250”);

}

connections:

server.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;

firewall.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> ids.ethg++;

ids.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> irs.ethg++;

attacker.wlan++ <–> Adhoc80211Nic <–> router.wlan++;

}

Implement the Network Node

The Network Node indicates devices that are part of the network infrastructure. These devices should have simple functionalities for sending and receiving data.

Network Node Implementation

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”

#include “inet/applications/udpapp/UDPBasicApp.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class NetworkNode : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void sendData();

};

Define_Module(NetworkNode);

void NetworkNode::initialize(int stage)

{

cSimpleModule::initialize(stage);

if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {

EV << “Network Node Initialized” << endl;

scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(1, 3), new cMessage(“sendData”));

}

void NetworkNode::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “sendData”) == 0) {

sendData();

}

delete msg;

}

void NetworkNode::sendData()

{

// Simulate sending data

Packet *packet = new Packet(“DataPacket”);

packet->insertAtBack(makeShared<Chunk>(std::vector<int>{1, 2, 3})); // Example data

send(packet, “ethgOut”);

// Schedule the next data sending

scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(1, 3), new cMessage(“sendData”));

}

Implement the Firewall Module

The Firewall Module filters traffic to and from network nodes, confirming only legitimate traffic passes through and blocking any suspicious activity.

Firewall Module Implementation

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class FirewallModule : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

bool isAllowed(Packet *packet);

};

Define_Module(FirewallModule);

void FirewallModule::initialize()

{

EV << “Firewall Module Initialized” << endl;

}

void FirewallModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {

if (isAllowed(packet)) {

send(packet, “ethgOut”);

} else {

EV << “Packet dropped by firewall.” << endl;

delete packet;

}

bool FirewallModule::isAllowed(Packet *packet)

{

// Implement filtering logic (e.g., block specific IPs or patterns)

const auto &payload = packet->peekData();

std::string data = payload->str();

return data.find(“malicious”) == std::string::npos; // Example rule

}

Implement the IDS Module

The IDS Module observes network traffic to identify any potential intrusions or attacks like illegal access, data breaches, or DoS attacks.

IDS Module Implementation

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class IDSModule : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void detectIntrusion(Packet *packet);

};

Define_Module(IDSModule);

void IDSModule::initialize()

{

EV << “IDS Module Initialized” << endl;

}

void IDSModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {

detectIntrusion(packet);

send(packet, “ethgOut”);

}

delete msg;

}

void IDSModule::detectIntrusion(Packet *packet)

{

const auto &payload = packet->peekData();

std::string data = payload->str();

// Implement intrusion detection logic

if (data.find(“attack”) != std::string::npos) {

EV << “Intrusion detected! Notifying Incident Response System…” << endl;

// Notify the Incident Response System

cMessage *alert = new cMessage(“IntrusionAlert”);

send(alert, “ethgOut”);

}

Implement the Incident Response System (IRS)

The IRS is responsible for replying to identified incidents by taking proper actions including isolating compromised devices, blocking malicious traffic, or restoring normal operations.

Incident Response System Implementation

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class IncidentResponseSystem : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void respondToIncident();

};

Define_Module(IncidentResponseSystem);

void IncidentResponseSystem::initialize()

{

EV << “Incident Response System Initialized” << endl;

}

void IncidentResponseSystem::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “IntrusionAlert”) == 0) {

respondToIncident();

}

delete msg;

}

void IncidentResponseSystem::respondToIncident()

{

EV << “Responding to incident…” << endl;

// Implement incident response logic (e.g., isolate devices, block traffic)

// Example: Send a message to firewall to block certain traffic

}

Implement the Attacker Node

The Attacker Node simulates adversarial behavior like attempting to compromise network security via unauthorized access, data breaches, or DoS attacks.

Attacker Node Implementation

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class AttackerNode : public TcpAppBase

{

protected:

virtual void initialize(int stage) override;

virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;

void launchAttack();

};

Define_Module(AttackerNode);

void AttackerNode::initialize(int stage)

{

TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);

if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {

scheduleAt(simTime() + 2, new cMessage(“launchAttack”));

}

void AttackerNode::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)

{

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “launchAttack”) == 0) {

launchAttack();

delete msg;

} else {

TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);

}

void AttackerNode::launchAttack()

{

EV << “Launching attack on network…” << endl;

// Simulate an attack by sending malicious data

Packet *packet = new Packet(“AttackPacket”);

packet->insertAtBack(makeShared<Chunk>(std::vector<int>{999, 999, 999})); // Example malicious data

sendToUDP(packet, localPort, Ipv4AddressResolver().resolve(“router”), 5000);

}

Integrate All Components into the Network Incident Security Simulation

Generate a complete network incident security replication by integrating network nodes, firewall, IDS, IRS, and attacker node within the network.

network NetworkIncidentSecurity

{

submodules:

server: NetworkNode {

@display(“p=100,200”);

}

router: Router {

@display(“p=300,200”);

}

firewall: FirewallModule {

@display(“p=200,100”);

}

ids: IDSModule {

@display(“p=400,100”);

}

irs: IncidentResponseSystem {

@display(“p=500,200”);

}

attacker: AttackerNode {

@display(“p=600,250”);

}

connections:

server.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;

firewall.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> ids.ethg++;

ids.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> irs.ethg++;

attacker.wlan++ <–> Adhoc80211Nic <–> router.wlan++;

}

Run the Simulation

Compile and run the simulation in OMNeT++. The network should safely manage data communication when detecting and responding to any security incidents based on the implemented functionality.

Analyze the Results

Check the OMNeT++ simulation log to monitors how the network managed data communication, detected intrusions, and responded to incidents. Evaluate that:

The firewall properly filtered traffic.
The IDS detected intrusions and notified the IRS.
The IRS responded suitably to the incidents.
Attacks from the attacker node were mitigated effectively.

Extend the Network Incident Security Simulation

You can extend this setup by:

Implementing more advanced security mechanisms: Contain methods such as anomaly detection, machine learning-based intrusion detection, and programmed incident response.
Simulating additional threats: Has advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware attacks, or insider threats.
Adding monitoring and logging: Execute recording mechanisms to find network activity, security events, and incident response actions.
Integrating with cloud and IoT environments: Simulate network incident security in environments with cloud services and IoT devices.

This guide has the step-by-step process on how to implement network incident security in OMNeT++ including the execution of the security mechanisms and offered the details on how to analyze and enhance the results.

To implement Network Incident Security in the OMNeT++ tool for your projects, please contact us; we will provide you with novel guidance and service.Simply share your project’s parameter details with us to receive simulation results.