An Analysis of a Sequence to Attacks on Synchronization System Elements Operating According to BTCA Based on Precision Time Protocol

Precision time protocol is widely common in different areas that include critically significant industries such as power generation, manufacturing, economics and communication where high accuracy is the necessary provision for its working. Time offset can causes delays in data receiving that potentially leads to faults. Precision time protocol is a quite attractive for malicious user to interfere in equipment functioning because of its accessibility. Therefore, preventable detecting of such actions is one of the actual goals for defending from faults.

The objective is to research possible attack strategies on the elements of the synchronization system operating according to the best time transmitter clock algorithm, and to form simulation models of the functioning of the elements of the synchronization system under the influence of attacks based on the formed attack strategies.

Methods include collection, systematization and analysis of scientific and technical information, simulation using an agent-based approach.

Results. A complex of simulation models of the functioning of synchronization system elements operating according to the best time transmitter clock algorithm under the influence of information attacks are developed.

The theoretical significance is that a complex of developed models makes it possible to monitor the port status of precision time protocol’s devices to determine the convergence time of the best time transmitter clock algorithm, and generally, to monitor the functioning of synchronization system elements based on the attributes of device ports, characteristics of communication channels, and various attack strategies.

The practical significance is that the obtained results can be used for real communication networks to identify anomaly synchronization system devices in the presence of information about the characteristics of communication nodes. When we have the statistics on the estimation of the convergence time of the best time transmitter clock algorithm and information on the status of device ports, it is possible to draw a conclusion about the objects for attacking and to take steps for eliminating destructive influences.

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