Systematic Review of Graphical Visual Methods in Honeypot Attack Data Analysis

Abstract

Mitigating increasing cyberattack incidents may require strategies such as reinforcing organizations’ networks with Honeypots and effectively analyzing attack traffic for detection of zero-day attacks and vulnerabilities. To effectively detect and mitigate cyberattacks, both computerized and visual analyses are typically required. However, most security analysts are not adequately trained in visualization principles and/or methods, which is required for effective visual perception of useful attack information hidden in attack data. Additionally, Honeypot has proven useful in cyberattack research, but no studies have comprehensively investigated visualization practices in the field. In this paper, we reviewed visualization practices and methods commonly used in the discovery and communication of attack patterns based on Honeypot network traffic data. Using the PRISMA methodology, we identified and screene d 218 papers and evaluated only 37 papers having a high impact. Most Honeypot papers conducted summary statistics of Honeypot data based on stat ic data metrics such as IP address, port, and packet size. They visually analyzed Honeypot attack data using simple graphical methods (such as line, bar, and pie charts) that tend to hide useful attack information. Furthermore, only a few papers conducted extended attack analysis, and commonly visualized attack data using scatter and linear plots. Papers rarely included simple yet sophisticated graphical methods, such as box plots and histograms, which allow for critical evaluation of analysis results. While a significant number of automated visualization tools have incorporated visualization standards by default, the construction of effective and expressive graphical methods for easy pattern discovery and explainable insights still requires applied knowledge and skill of visualization principles and tools, and occasionally, an interdis ciplinary collaboration with peers. We, therefore, suggest the need, going forward, for non-classical graphical methods for visualizing attack patterns and communicating analysis results. We also recommend training investigators in visualization principles and standards for effective visual perception and presentation.