anomaly_detection_cybersecurity

11/12/24, 10:33 PM Diffusion model applied to cyber security anomaly detection | by Ruxi Zhang | Medium
Diffusion model applied to cyber security

anomaly detection
Ruxi Zhang · Follow
4 min read · May 20, 2024
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Diffusion model has gained significant attention in recent years for its contributions
to image generation and its potential in drug and protein discovery, among other
applications.
In this post, I am going to explore how diffusion model can be applied to anomaly
detection in cybersecurity. Diffusion models offer significant advantages for
anomaly detection in cybersecurity by learning complex data distributions, being
robust to noise, and providing detailed, incremental insights into network traffic
behavior. This enhanced capability allows for more accurate and reliable detection
of anomalies in network traffic, identifying potential security threats effectively.
Key Advantages of Diffusion Models for Anomaly Detection

1. Learning Complex Data Distributions: Diffusion models are powerful generative
models that can learn complex data distributions. This capability is crucial for
modeling the normal behavior of network traffic, which can be highly variable
and multi-modal.
2. Robustness to Noise: By design, diffusion models are trained to handle and

denoise noisy data. This makes them inherently robust to small variations and
noise in the data, which is beneficial in a real-world network where noise and
minor fluctuations are common.
3. Gradual Denoising Process: The step-by-step denoising process allows diffusion

models to focus on reconstructing data incrementally, which helps in better
https://medium.com/@ruxiz2005/diffusion-model-applied-to-cyber-security-anomaly-detection-3a42a7704783 1/12
capturing the underlying structure of normal data. This incremental approach is

more effective than directly learning to reconstruct data in a single step.
Example: Diffusion Model for Cybersecurity Anomaly Detection

Step-by-Step Process
1. Training Phase
Data Preparation: Collect and preprocess normal network traffic data.
Diffusion Model Training: Train the diffusion model to learn the distribution of
normal network traffic.
2. Anomaly Detection Phase
Reconstruction and Anomaly Scoring: Use the trained model to reconstruct new
data and calculate the reconstruction error.
Thresholding: Identify anomalies based on reconstruction error.
Let’s enhance the previous example by emphasizing how the diffusion model’s
capabilities are specifically utilized.
Training Phase
1. Data Preparation:
Collect normal network traffic data, preprocess it, and split into training and
test sets.
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
from sklearn.preprocessing import StandardScaler
# Load your normal network traffic data

data = pd.read_csv('normal_network_traffic.csv')
# Extract features and normalize

features = data[['packet_size', 'protocol_type', 'src_ip', 'dest_ip', 'time_int
scaler = StandardScaler()
normalized_features = scaler.fit_transform(features)
# Split into training and test sets
train_data = normalized_features[:int(0.8 * len(normalized_features))]

test_data = normalized_features[int(0.8 * len(normalized_features)):]
2. Diffusion Model Training:
Define and train a diffusion model to capture the distribution of normal network
traffic.
import torch
import torch.nn as nn
import torch.optim as optim
from torch.utils.data import DataLoader, TensorDataset
class DiffusionModel(nn.Module):
def __init__(self, input_dim):
super(DiffusionModel, self).__init__()
self.encoder = nn.Sequential(
nn.Linear(input_dim, 128),
nn.ReLU(),
nn.Linear(128, 64),
nn.ReLU()
)
self.decoder = nn.Sequential(
nn.Linear(64, 128),
nn.ReLU(),
nn.Linear(128, input_dim)
)
def forward(self, x):

encoded = self.encoder(x)
decoded = self.decoder(encoded)
return decoded
# Prepare data for training

train_tensor = torch.tensor(train_data, dtype=torch.float32)
train_dataset = TensorDataset(train_tensor, train_tensor)
train_loader = DataLoader(train_dataset, batch_size=32, shuffle=True)
# Initialize model, loss function, and optimizer

input_dim = train_data.shape[1]
model = DiffusionModel(input_dim)
criterion = nn.MSELoss()
optimizer = optim.Adam(model.parameters(), lr=0.001)
# Train the model

num_epochs = 50
for epoch in range(num_epochs):

for inputs, _ in train_loader:
optimizer.zero_grad()
outputs = model(inputs)
loss = criterion(outputs, inputs)
loss.backward()
optimizer.step()
print(f"Epoch [{epoch+1}/{num_epochs}], Loss: {loss.item()}")
Anomaly Detection Phase

1. Reconstruction and Anomaly Scoring:
Use the trained model to reconstruct new data and calculate the reconstruction
error. High reconstruction errors indicate anomalies because the model has
learned the distribution of normal data and struggles to reconstruct abnormal
data.
# Function to calculate reconstruction error

def calculate_reconstruction_error(model, data):
model.eval()
with torch.no_grad():
data_tensor = torch.tensor(data, dtype=torch.float32)
reconstructions = model(data_tensor)
reconstruction_error = torch.mean((data_tensor - reconstructions) ** 2,
return reconstruction_error.numpy()
# Calculate reconstruction error for test data

test_errors = calculate_reconstruction_error(model, test_data)
# Set a threshold (e.g., 95th percentile of training errors)

train_errors = calculate_reconstruction_error(model, train_data)
threshold = np.percentile(train_errors, 95)
# Flag anomalies
anomalies = test_data[test_errors > threshold]
print(f"Detected {len(anomalies)} anomalies out of {len(test_data)} test sample
Applying diffusion models to anomaly detection offers significant advantages,

including the ability to learn complex and high-dimensional data distributions,
robustness to noise, and the capability for detailed, incremental anomaly detection,
which is particularly effective for multi-modal datasets and diverse normal

behaviors. These models are scalable and adaptable to various data types and
domains.
However, they come with notable disadvantages such as high computational

complexity, more challenging implementation and tuning compared to simpler
models, substantial data requirements for effective training, sensitivity to
hyperparameters, and potential issues with interpretability, making them difficult
to understand and explain in critical applications.
Future developments in applying diffusion models to anomaly detection are likely to

focus on enhancing computational efficiency, making these models more accessible
and practical for real-time applications. Innovations in model architecture and
optimization techniques could reduce resource consumption and processing times,
addressing current computational challenges. Additionally, advancements in
explainability and interpretability will be crucial, enabling users to understand and
trust the model’s anomaly detection decisions. Integration with hybrid approaches,
combining diffusion models with other machine learning techniques, may also
emerge to leverage complementary strengths. Improved robustness and adaptability
to various types of data and anomaly scenarios will further broaden their
applicability across different domains in cybersecurity and beyond.
AI Diffusion Models Anomaly Detection Cybersecurity
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11/12/24, 10:33 PM Diffusion model applied to cyber security anomaly detection | by Ruxi Zhang | Medium

Diffusion model applied to cyber security

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Key Advantages of Diffusion Models for Anomaly Detection

2. Robustness to Noise: By design, diffusion models are trained to handle and

3. Gradual Denoising Process: The step-by-step denoising process allows diffusion

capturing the underlying structure of normal data. This incremental approach is

Example: Diffusion Model for Cybersecurity Anomaly Detection

Data Preparation: Collect and preprocess normal network traffic data.

2. Anomaly Detection Phase

Thresholding: Identify anomalies based on reconstruction error.

# Load your normal network traffic data

# Extract features and normalize

# Split into training and test sets

train_data = normalized_features[:int(0.8 * len(normalized_features))]

2. Diffusion Model Training:

def forward(self, x):

# Prepare data for training

# Initialize model, loss function, and optimizer

# Train the model

for epoch in range(num_epochs):

print(f"Epoch [{epoch+1}/{num_epochs}], Loss: {loss.item()}")

Anomaly Detection Phase

# Function to calculate reconstruction error

# Calculate reconstruction error for test data

# Set a threshold (e.g., 95th percentile of training errors)

print(f"Detected {len(anomalies)} anomalies out of {len(test_data)} test sample

Applying diffusion models to anomaly detection offers significant advantages,

which is particularly effective for multi-modal datasets and diverse normal

However, they come with notable disadvantages such as high computational

Future developments in applying diffusion models to anomaly detection are likely to

AI Diffusion Models Anomaly Detection Cybersecurity

Written by Ruxi Zhang

Surfing in data ocean.

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