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A game-theoretic analysis of information security investment for multiple firms in a network

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaofei Qian

    (Hefei University of Technology
    University of Florida)

  • Xinbao Liu

    (Hefei University of Technology)

  • Jun Pei

    (Hefei University of Technology
    University of Florida)

  • Panos M. Pardalos

    (University of Florida)

  • Lin Liu

    (Hefei University of Technology)

Abstract

The application of Internet of Things promotes the cooperation among firms, and it also introduces some information security issues. Due to the vulnerability of the communication network, firms need to invest in information security technologies to protect their confidential information. In this paper, considering the multiple-step propagation of a security breach in a fully connected network, an information security investment game among n firms is investigated. We make meticulous theoretic and experimental analyses on both the Nash equilibrium solution and the optimal solution. The results show that a larger network size (n) or a larger one-step propagation probability (q) has a negative effect on the Nash equilibrium investment. The optimal investment does not necessarily increase in n or q, and its variation trend depends on the concrete conditions. A compensation mechanism is proposed to encourage firms to coordinate their strategies and invest a higher amount equal to the optimal investment when they make decisions individually. At last, our model is extended by considering another direct breach probability function and another network structure, respectively. We find that a higher connection density of the network will result in a greater expected cost for each firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaofei Qian & Xinbao Liu & Jun Pei & Panos M. Pardalos & Lin Liu, 2017. "A game-theoretic analysis of information security investment for multiple firms in a network," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 68(10), pages 1290-1305, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:68:y:2017:i:10:d:10.1057_s41274-016-0134-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41274-016-0134-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amanda Eisenga & Travis L. Jones & Walter Rodriguez, 2012. "Investing in IT Security: How to Determine the Maximum Threshold," International Journal of Information Security and Privacy (IJISP), IGI Global, vol. 6(3), pages 75-87, July.
    2. Hee-Kyung Kong & Tae-Sung Kim & Jungduk Kim, 2012. "An analysis on effects of information security investments: a BSC perspective," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 941-953, August.
    3. Derrick Huang, C. & Hu, Qing & Behara, Ravi S., 2008. "An economic analysis of the optimal information security investment in the case of a risk-averse firm," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(2), pages 793-804, August.
    4. Kjell Hausken, 2006. "Returns to information security investment: The effect of alternative information security breach functions on optimal investment and sensitivity to vulnerability," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 8(5), pages 338-349, December.
    5. Huang, C. Derrick & Behara, Ravi S., 2013. "Economics of information security investment in the case of concurrent heterogeneous attacks with budget constraints," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(1), pages 255-268.
    6. Xing Gao & Weijun Zhong & Shue Mei, 2014. "A game-theoretic analysis of information sharing and security investment for complementary firms," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 65(11), pages 1682-1691, November.
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    Cited by:

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    4. Xiaofei Qian & Jun Pei & Xinbao Liu & Mi Zhou & Panos M. Pardalos, 2019. "Information security decisions for two firms in a market with different types of customers," Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 1263-1285, November.
    5. Yong Wu & Junlin Duan & Tao Dai & Dong Cheng, 2020. "Managing Security Outsourcing in the Presence of Strategic Hackers," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 235-259, September.
    6. Xinbao Liu & Xiaofei Qian & Jun Pei & Panos M. Pardalos, 2018. "Security investment and information sharing in the market of complementary firms: impact of complementarity degree and industry size," Journal of Global Optimization, Springer, vol. 70(2), pages 413-436, February.

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