Optimal Connectivity of Multilayer Networks: Enhancing Robustness and Security

Modern communication systems use multilayer networks (interconnected systems where different devices connect through multiple linked layers), which improve performance but create security risks because malware can spread across connections between layers. This research uses the SIR epidemic model (a mathematical framework that simulates how diseases or malware spread through populations) to find the optimal balance: the right number of connections that keeps the network from being isolated by cyberattacks while preventing malware from spreading between layers. The study proposes a weighted scoring method to help determine this optimal number based on specific needs.