Assessing Centrality Measures as Attack and Defense Strategies in the Global Air Transportation Network

Abstract

This study leverages game theory to examine attack and defense strategies in the global air transportation network. We focus on zero-sum games where attackers and defenders use centrality-based strategies. The research highlights the vulnerability of networks to different attack strategies and the corresponding defense mechanisms that can mitigate these attacks. Results show that when the attack and defense resources are equal, no single defense strategy proves uniformly effective, but strategies based on betweenness centrality show significant resilience. Analyzing Nash equilibrium in the global air network reveals diverse equilibrium strategies, emphasizing the need for varied defense approaches as attack ranges increase.