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Targeted Algorithmic Purpose-Driven Cyber Attacks in Distributed Multi-Agent Optimization

delete2026-01-01
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PRE
AI
M
Mahan Fakouri Fard
M
Mingxi Liu *
DOI:10.1109/TICPS.2026.3672066delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Distributed multi-agent optimization (DMAO) enables the scalable control and coordination of a large population of edge resources in complex multi-agent environments. Despite its great scalability, DMAO is prone to cyber attacks as it relies on frequent peer-to-peer communications that are vulnerable to malicious data injection and alteration. Existing cybersecurity research mainly focuses on broad-spectrum attacks that aim to jeopardize the overall environment but fail to sustainably achieve specific or targeted objectives. This paper develops a class of novel strategic purpose-driven algorithmic attacks that are launched by participating agents and interface with DMAO to achieve self-interested attacking purposes. Theoretical foundations, in both primal and dual senses, are established for these attack vectors with and without stealthy features. Simulations on electric vehicle charging control validate the efficacy of the proposed algorithmic attacks and show the impacts of such attacks on the power distribution network.
Keywords:
Electric vehicle charging
Optimization
Distribution networks
Cyberattack
Convergence
Cyber-physical systems
Vectors
Filling
State of charge
Standards
Algorithmic cyber attack
cyber security
distributed multi-agent optimization (DMAO)
for-purpose cyber attack

Journal

I
IEEE Transactions on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems
IF:
0
Papers:
27
Citations:
0

Organization

U
Utah System of Higher Education
Scholars:
4.6W
Papers: 4.0W
Citations: 161