A note on measurement of network vulnerability under random and intentional attacks

Abstract: In this paper we propose an alternative approach for the assessment of network vulnerability under random and intentional attacks as compared to the results obtained from the "vulnerability function" given by Criado et al. [Criado et al. (Int. J. Comput. Math., 86 (2) (2009), pp. 209-218)]. By using spectral and statistical measurements, we assess robustness as the antonym to vulnerability of complex networks and suggest a tentative ranking for vulnerability, based on the interpretation of quantified network characteristics. We conclude that vulnerability function, derived from the network's degree distribution and its variations only, is not general enough to reflect the lack of robustness due to the specific configurations in graphs with hierarchical or centralized structures. The spectral and statistical metrics, on the other hand, capture different aspects of network topology which provide a more thorough assessment of network vulnerability.