Network Intrusion Visualization with NIVA, an Intrusion Detection Visual Analyzer with Haptic Integration

The explosive growth of malicious activities on worldwide communication networks, such as the Internet, has highlighted the need for efficient intrusion detection systems. The efficiency of traditional intrusion detection systems is limited by their inability to effectively relay relevant information due to their lack of interactive/immersive technologies. In this paper, we explore several network visualization techniques geared towards intrusion detection on small and large-scale networks. We also examine the use of haptics in network intrusion visualization. By incorporating concepts from electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, and gravitational theory, we show that haptic technologies can provide another dimension of information critical to the efficient visualization of network intrusion data. Furthermore, we explore the applicability of these visualization techniques in conjunction with commercial network intrusion detectors. Finally, we present a network intrusion visualization application with haptic integration, NIVA, which allows the analyst to interactively investigate as well as efficiently detect structured attacks across time and space using advanced interactive three-dimensional displays.