Discrete Math Seminar: Chris Mitchell

Abstract:

In this talk we consider spy agents , a means for evaluating trust in remote hosts in mobile code scenarios. A spy agent, i.e. a mobile agent which circulates amongst anumber of remote hosts, can employ a variety of techniques to disguise itspurpose, and to ensure that visited malicious hosts misbehave. The set of spy agent routes needs to be constructed in a manner that enables hosts to be identified from a set of agent outcomes. The construction of route sets that both reduce the probability of spy agent detection and support identification of the origin of a malicious act is analysed using variants of combinatorial group testing theory. Solutions to a variety of route set design problems are proposed. The work described in this talk is the result of collaboration with Georgios Kalogridis of Toshiba Research.