Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)
Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Computer and Information Science
Committee Chair
Jordan Shrophshire, Ph.D.
Advisor(s)
Jeffery McDonald, Ph.D., Ryan Benton, Ph.D.
Abstract
In recent years there has been an increasing number of cyberattacks on public water generation and distribution systems. Advanced persistent attackers could usurp sensors and control systems to contaminate public drinking water. In order to conceal their malicious activity, they can manipulate sensor data flows to give the appearance of normal activity. The compromised sensors would report normal chemical levels even though unsafe water is entering the distribution system. In response, this research proposes a multi-sensor, cross-comparison approach to anomaly detection. The proposed approach is designed to detect sophisticated cyberattacks which are not easily detectable using traditional cyber tools. The proposed solution would leverage the interrelationship between secondary measures and safe consumable water metrics to detect attacks on water distribution systems. It could be employed to detect attacks on water supplies in near real-time operating environments.
Recommended Citation
Purdy, Ayrton, "Detecting Sophisticated Cyberattacks on Public Water Infrastructure" (2026). Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present). 248.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/theses_diss/248
Included in
Cybersecurity Commons, Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons, Other Computer Sciences Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Water Resource Management Commons, Water Resources Engineering Commons