The field of artificial immune systems (AISs) is an emerging biologically-inspired method which builds systems based on algorithms inspired by the biological immune system. AIS research has provided a number of general purpose techniques and algorithms which have successfully been applied to a range of optimisation, classification and data mining problems. As with evolutionary algorithms and neural networks, AISs could also provide useful solutions to optimisation and classification problems in multi-sensor data fusion. More interestingly though perhaps, recent research in AISs [14,15,35,36] shows the importance of multilevel information in the construction of AISs. New models for AISs are emerging that are inspired by research in immunology into the role of the innate immune system in overall immune system dynamics. These AISs, which incorporate mechanisms inspired by both the innate and adaptive immune systems, are called second generation AISs. They stand in contrast to first generation AISs, which are inspired by adaptive immune system mechanisms only. One of the consequences of incorporating innate and adaptive mechanisms, as well as one of the defining characteristics of second generation AISs, is the need for a multilevel problem representation, and a multi-le- vel interaction of the components of the AIS with the problem [36]. As systems that integrate multilevel information sources, second generation AISs share much in common with multi-sensor data fusion systems.

CODEQ is a new, population-based meta-heuristic algorithm that is a hybrid of concepts from chaotic search, opposition-based learning, differential evolution and quantum mechanics. CODEQ has successfully been used to solve different types of problems (e.g. constrained, integer-programming, engineering) with excellent results. In this paper, CODEQ is used to train feed-forward neural networks. The proposed method is compared with particle swarm optimization and differential evolution algorithms on three data sets with encouraging results.

In recent years computer systems have become increasingly complex and consequently the challenge of protecting these systems has become increasingly difficult. Various techniques have been implemented to counteract the misuse of computer systems in the form of firewalls, anti-virus software and intrusion detection systems. The complexity of networks and dynamic nature of computer systems leaves current methods with significant room for improvement. Computer scientists have recently drawn inspiration from mechanisms found in biological systems and, in the context of computer security, have focused on the human immune system (HIS). The human immune system provides a high level of protection from constant attacks. By examining the precise mechanisms of the human immune system, it is hoped the paradigm will improve the performance of real intrusion detection systems. This paper presents an introduction to recent developments in the field of immunology. It discusses the incorporation of a novel immunological paradigm, Danger Theory, and how this concept is inspiring artificial immune systems (AIS). Applications within the context of computer security are outlined drawing direct reference to the underlying principles of Danger Theory and finally, the current state of intrusion detection systems is discussed and improvements suggested.

Artificial immune systems have previously been applied to the problem of intrusion detection. The aim of this research is to develop an intrusion detection system based on the function of Dendritic Cells (DCs). DCs are antigen presenting cells and key to activation of the human immune system, behaviour which has been abstracted to form the Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA). In algorithmic terms, individual DCs perform multi-sensor data fusion, asynchronously correlating the the fused data signals with a secondary data stream. Aggregate output of a population of cells, is analysed and forms the basis of an anomaly detection system. In this paper the DCA is applied to the detection of outgoing port scans using TCP SYN packets. Results show that detection can be achieved with the DCA, yet some false positives can be encountered when simultaneously scanning and using other network services. Suggestions are made for using adaptive signals to alleviate this uncovered problem.

This work was inspired by author experiences with a telescope scheduling. Author long time goal is to develop and further extend software for an autonomous observatory. The software shall provide users with all the facilities they need to take scientific images of the night sky, cooperate with other autonomous observatories, and possibly more. This works shows how genetic algorithm can be used for scheduling of a single observatory, as well as network of observatories.

Artificial immune systems, more specifically the negative selection algorithm, have previously been applied to intrusion detection. The aim of this research is to develop an intrusion detection system based on a novel concept in immunology, the Danger Theory. Dendritic Cells (DCs) are antigen presenting cells and key to the activation of the human signals from the host tissue and correlate these signals with proteins know as antigens. In algorithmic terms, individual DCs perform multi-sensor data fusion based on time-windows. The whole population of DCs asynchronously correlates the fused signals with a secondary data stream. The behaviour of human DCs is abstracted to form the DC Algorithm (DCA), which is implemented using an immune inspired framework, libtissue. This system is used to detect context switching for a basic machine learning dataset and to detect outgoing portscans in real-time. Experimental results show a significant difference between an outgoing portscan and normal traffic.

Abstract-- Ensuring the security of computers is a nontrivial task, with many techniques used by malicious users to compromise these systems. In recent years a new threat has emerged in the form of networks of hijacked zombie machines used to perform complex distributed attacks such as denial of service and to obtain sensitive data such as password information. These zombie machines are said to be infected with a'bot' - a malicious piece of software which is installed on a host machine and is controlled by a remote attacker, termed the'botmaster of a botnet'. In this work, we use the biologically inspired Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA) to detect the existence of a single bot on a compromised host machine. The DCA is an immune-inspired algorithm based on an abstract model of the behaviour of the dendritic cells of the human body. The basis of anomaly detection performed by the DCA is facilitated using the correlation of behavioural attributes such as keylogging and packet flooding behaviour. The results of the application of the DCA to the detection of a single bot show that the algorithm is a successful technique for the detection of such malicious software without responding to normally running programs. Computer systems and networks come under frequent attack from a diverse set of malicious programs and activity. Computer viruses posed a large problem in the late 1980's and computer worms were problematic in the 1990s through to the early 21st Century. While the detection of such worms and viruses is improving a new threat has emerged in the form of the botnet. Botnets are decentralised, distributed networks of subverted machines, controlled by a central commander, affectionately termed the'botmaster'. A single bot is a malicious piece of software which, when installed on an unsuspecting host, transforms host into a zombie machine.

We propose a variation of the standard genetic algorithm that incorporates social interaction between the individuals in the population. Our goal is to understand the evolutionary role of social systems and its possible application as a non-genetic new step in evolutionary algorithms. In biological populations, ie animals, even human beings and microorganisms, social interactions often affect the fitness of individuals. It is conceivable that the perturbation of the fitness via social interactions is an evolutionary strategy to avoid trapping into local optimum, thus avoiding a fast convergence of the population. We model the social interactions according to Game Theory. The population is, therefore, composed by cooperator and defector individuals whose interactions produce payoffs according to well known game models (prisoner's dilemma, chicken game, and others). Our results on Knapsack problems show, for some game models, a significant performance improvement as compared to a standard genetic algorithm.

A perceived limitation of evolutionary art and design algorithms is that they rely on human intervention; the artist selects the most aesthetically pleasing variants of one generation to produce the next. This paper discusses how computer generated art and design can become more creatively human-like with respect to both process and outcome. As an example of a step in this direction, we present an algorithm that overcomes the above limitation by employing an automatic fitness function. The goal is to evolve abstract portraits of Darwin, using our 2nd generation fitness function which rewards genomes that not just produce a likeness of Darwin but exhibit certain strategies characteristic of human artists. We note that in human creativity, change is less choosing amongst randomly generated variants and more capitalizing on the associative structure of a conceptual network to hone in on a vision. We discuss how to achieve this fluidity algorithmically.

Understanding predator-prey relationships among insects is a challenging task in the domain of insect-colony research. This is due to several factors involved, such as determining whether a particular behavior is the result of a predator-prey interaction, a friend-foe interaction or another kind of interaction. In this paper, we analyze a series of predator-prey and friend-foe interactions in two colonies of carpenter ants to better understand and predict such behavior. Using the data gathered, we have also come up with a preliminary model for predicting such behavior under the specific conditions the experiment was conducted in. In this paper, we present the results of our data analysis as well as an overview of the processes involved.