ITR: Information Flow and Security in Complex Networks

所提出的研究集中在复杂网络中关于故障和攻击的信息流和安全性的动态变化。这项研究之所以重要，是因为互联网和电网等大型网络是现代基础设施的骨干，其安全性令人高度关注。需要解决的基本研究挑战是：(1)由攻击引发的复杂网络中的级联故障(或雪崩)；(2)基于范围的攻击对链路的影响；(3)社会网络的基本结构和动力学；(4)复杂网络上的同步动力学。拟议的研究有望为理解网络动态和安全奠定坚实的基础。它将展示跨学科方法如何能够解决当前令人关切的问题。拟议的研究活动不仅可以在物理科学、工程学和社会科学中找到应用，而且还可以在重大社会关注的问题上找到应用。强调学生参与跨学科研究。拟议研究的性质使其与工业和国防应用相关，如国土安全和关键基础设施保护，并使其对公众也很感兴趣。

The proposed research focuses on the dynamics of information flow and security in complex networks with respect to failures and attacks. The research is important because large networks such as the Internet and the electrical power grid are the backbone of a modern infrastructure, and their security is of great concern. The basic research challenges to be addressed are: (1) cascading failures (or avalanches) in complex networks triggered by attacks; (2) the effect of range-based attacks on links; (3) fundamental structure and dynamics of social networks; and (4) synchronous dynamics on complex networks. The proposed research is expected to yield a solid foundation for understanding network dynamics and security. It will be a demonstration of how an interdisciplinary approach can lead to solutions to problems of current concern. The proposed research activity can find applications not only in physical sciences, engineering, and social sciences, but also in problems of significant societal concern. Involvement of students in interdisciplinary research is emphasized. The nature of the proposed research renders it relevant to industrial and defense applications, such as homeland security and critical infrastructure protection, and makes it interesting to the public as well.