Survey on network system security metrics

With the improvement for comprehensive and objective understanding of the network system,the research and application of network system security metrics (NSSM) are noticed more.The quantitative evaluation of network system security is developing towards precision and objectification.NSSM can provide the objective and scientific basis for the confrontation of attack-defense and decision of emergency response.The global metrics of network system security is a crucial point in the field of security metrics.From the perspective of global metrics,the status and role of global metrics in security evaluation were pointed out.Three development stages of metrics (perceiving,cognizing and deepening) and their characteristics were analyzed and summarized.The process of global metrics was described.The metrics models,metrics systems and metrics tools were analyzed,and their functions,interrelations,and features in security metrics were pointed out.Then the technical challenges of global metrics of network systems were explained in detail,and ten opportunities and challenges were summarized in tabular form.Finally,the next direction and development trend of network system security metrics research were forecasted.The survey shows that NSSM has a good application prospect in network security.