Enhanced time-delay attack detection algorithm for precision time protocol

Abstract Precision Time Protocol, PTP, is one of the most accurate protocols for maintaining clock synchronization in industrial and distributed systems and networks. Besides, profiteering or malicious intentions of the network attackers have led to various types of cyber-attacks on different network parts. Time-Delay Attack, TDA, is a well-known network attack that disrupts synchronization. This paper studies a new TDA detection algorithm to maintain and secure the benefits of PTP in industrial networks. We show that through adding new efficient paths and innovative computations based on End-to-End computing, the reliability and security of PTP increase significantly while the incurred traffic overhead remains negligible. Mathematical analysis and simulations confirm the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed algorithm, especially in case of the variety of attacks detected in the network and the location of their occurrence.