Hydraulic Systems Security: Addressing Cyber Threats with DNA-Based Cryptography in Cloud-Integrated Control

Abstract

Hydraulic control systems, widely used in industrial automation, aerospace, and energy sectors, are increasingly integrated with cloud platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency. However, this digital integration exposes hydraulic infrastructures to a wide range of cyberattacks, including denial-of-service (DoS), ransomware, and advanced persistent threats (APT). Existing cybersecurity solutions for industrial control systems (ICS) rely on conventional cryptographic algorithms such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Rivest-Shamir- Adleman, which may be resource-intensive and vulnerable in constrained environments. This article explores cybersecurity challenges in hydraulic systems, analyzes real-world attack scenarios, and introduces Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)-based cryptography as a novel, lightweight, and biologically inspired approach for securing cloud-integrated hydraulic infrastructures. Comparative evaluations are shown between DNA-based schemes and lightweight cryptography standards, highlighting performance, scalability, and resistance to classical attacks. Experimental insights, supported by graphical models and tabulated data, demonstrate the feasibility of DNA-based approaches for future-proofing hydraulic cybersecurity.