Formal characterization of cyberspace for cyber lexicon development

Abstract

Inadequate formalisation or theoretical perspective is a sign of new domain which also holds in cyberspace and its related areas (cyber warfare etc.). The development of which could solve the problems in lexicon lack of consensus and provides a ground truth for general analysis and further development. Cyberspace is a complex domain in which the structure (topology) dynamics and the functional processes are interwoven. Hence it is no wonder that lack of consensus persists when using terms. In order to support the generalisation of cyberspace theory a formalization and a solid foundation are essential. In addition to pave a way for an introduction of a formal proofs and development of rigorous terminologies it is paramount to have a formal mathematical definition of the domain that take account of the domain's topology functional process and dynamics in time. Most complex systems even biological ones exhibit a layered structure which comes useful in deciphering the complexity at least in an understandable level. This paper pointed that cyberspace can be represented as a layered structure of entities and hierarchy of terms. This perception is chosen as the basis for a formal cyberspace framework and characterisation. Thus we offer a cyberspace formalization consisting of a topological characterisation of the domain to be guided by a set of rules. The framework is a mathematical definition presented on cellular automaton principles comprising the set of rules to be employed further. These permit the development of cyberspace ontology and lexicon. A layered model for describing the behaviour of heterogenous interacting entities whose effects unfold in cyber domain is offered-Framing a defined model of cyberspace consisting of a rule set topology configuration and a predefined assumption. Thus describing its unexplored attributes through formalisation and modeling make the case for adopting a rigorous formal model of cyberspace to overcome the contemporary conceptual representation and effective reasoning functionalities. © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.