Flinders scientists use AI to protect critical infrastructure

Scientists from Flinders University have helped to develop a new model involving using AI to protect critical infrastructure including power, water and telecom networks.

Working with AI experts from Brazil, the group has developed a model to provide early identification of signs of a software virus attack, hacker activity or general system failure in critical networks.

Project lead Dr Paulo Santos, an associate professor in AI and robotics at the Flinders University College of Science and Engineering, said the new model could have major results.

“We have developed a novel algorithm to detect failure in data networks that is robust to inconsistencies in the sensor data. This algorithm is capable to signal the start of major disruptions that could have far-reaching consequences,” he said.

“This could be advanced to be an effective safeguard against equipment failures in data networks of electrical systems, and could replace more traditional diagnostic methods both in power and other critical infrastructure.”

In the future, the AI model could be used to improve software applications and other fault diagnostic systems that help prevent errors in complex engineering systems, manufacturing plants and other key infrastructure, he said.

“With further development, this new model of analysis, which we call ‘Cubic Paraconsistent Analyser with Evidence Filter and Temporal Analysis’ (or CPAet), could be consolidated to address ever more sophisticated technological failures in critical systems which support major industries, entire urban networks, and so on,” Santos said.

Santos and his co-authors have published their findings from the project in the journal Expert Systems with Applications.

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