Media Contact:
Jim Ong
Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
650.931.2710


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DARPA AWARDS CONTRACT TO STOTTLER HENKE FOR
NETWORK SECURITY RESEARCH AND SOFTWARE DESIGN

Multi-agent framework and artificial intelligence technology will
enable a scalable defense against denial-of-service attacks for network elements

SAN MATEO, CA, May 21, 1999 – Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. today announced the award of a six month $99,000 Phase I contract with DARPA to research and design a scalable multi-agent system to insure reliable performance of computer network resources in the face of denial-of-service type attacks.  The new concepts and software design will play an important role in the Department of Defenses' increasing emphasis on computer and network security systems.

A denial-of-service type attack on a computer or network is an attack in which the intent is to render a computer or network useless or partially useless for a period of time.  Thus these types of attacks will deny the use of a resource (computer or network element) from its intended users.  For example, a web server which falls victim to a denial-of-service attack will no longer be accessible to the people who normally access its web pages.  These types of attacks are an important focus in computer security research for several reasons.  Not only does the loss of a particular service cost the organization money, but these types of attacks are often used as a diversionary tactic by individuals attempting to break into a computer or network.

The aim of this research is to design a scalable multi-agent system capable of protecting network elements from three denial-of-service type attacks reported by the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the previous 18 months.  The  approach is founded upon the development of the artificial intelligence method known as distributed case-based reasoning.  In a distributed, heterogeneous environment such as the Internet, distributed case-based reasoning will dynamically handle new security threats by comparing them to a large database of historical cases and adapting a historical solution to the new threat.  The multi-agent framework will enable a resulting system to be effectively scalable from a ten node to 10,000 node network environment.

"Distributed case-based reasoning will provide the artificial intelligence methodology needed to identify and protect against denial-of-service attacks," says Russell Kinnicutt, the project's principal investigator.  "A multi-agent framework will provide the scalability needed to make the system effective in today's complicated computer networks," continues Kinnicutt.

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. designs, develops, and deploys innovative, artificial intelligence (AI) software systems to solve problems which defy solution using traditional approaches.  Stottler Henke systems help companies train their employees more quickly and cost effectively; schedule operations and allocate resources more effectively; and capture and apply organizational knowledge.  Services offered include strategic technology consulting, feasibility studies, rapid prototyping, application design and development, technology transfer, training, and technical support.  Clients include companies in knowledge-intensive industries such as aerospace, electronics, retail, and steel manufacturing.  Government clients include the Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy.  Stottler Henke is headquartered in San Mateo, CA and operates software development offices in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA.  Email: info@shai.com;  Web: http://www.shai.com.