Runtime Stability
Canonical definition (one sentence)
Runtime Stability is a technology framework for structurally maintaining the seven Protection Attributes defined herein when a computer system faces cyberattacks, failures, or anomalies during execution (runtime).
Essential definition of Runtime
“Runtime” refers to the general state of execution in which a processor executes its instruction set (ISA) and program code and execution data are loaded into RAM (memory). This definition is shared across Runtime Stability, Runtime Security, and Runtime Immunity.
Positioning as an inclusive framework (three integrated layers)
Runtime Stability integrates three protection layers: Traditional Information Security, Runtime Security, and Runtime Immunity.
- Layer 1 — Traditional Information Security (Prevention): perimeter defense, authentication, authorization.
- Layer 2 — Runtime Security (Control Retention): detection → control in the runtime environment; primary contribution to Safety, Availability, and Controllability.
- Layer 3 — Runtime Immunity (Outcome Nullification): structural nullification (e.g., memory encryption, environment binding); primary contribution to Confidentiality and Data Integrity.
- Integrated evaluation: RS (Runtime Stability Level) = SL + IL.
Three Design Philosophies of Runtime Stability
1) Non-Halting — the system is not halted even under attack.
2) Homeostasis Maintenance — Protection Attributes remain unchanged before and after attack.
3) Integrated Achievement of 7 Attributes — balanced achievement across all attributes, not single-metric optimization.
Seven Protection Attributes (RS Attributes)
- Safety (S): the system remains in a safe state even under attack.
- Reliability (R): protection functions operate reliably and recover upon failure.
- Availability (A): service delivery is maintained; critical functions do not halt.
- Controllability (C): the system state can be guided to a safe state; the system does not become uncontrollable.
- Confidentiality (Cf): readable acquisition of confidential information is structurally prevented.
- Data Integrity (D): accuracy and completeness are maintained; unauthorized alteration/destruction is prevented.
- Inexploitability (Ix): structural absence of vulnerabilities exploitable by attackers; achieved by coordination of Runtime Security and Runtime Immunity.
NOTICE (Inexploitability): Inexploitability is different from “nullification of attack outcomes.” Immunity contributes via outcome nullification; Security contributes via dynamic elimination of exploitable conditions; high Inexploitability requires both.
Components and evolution (three-layer defense model)
- Layer 1: Prevention
- Layer 2: Control Retention (Runtime Security) — maintains Controllability, Safety, Availability.
- Layer 3: Outcome Nullification (Runtime Immunity) — structurally nullifies attack outcomes.
- Integrated attribute: Inexploitability (Ix) — achieved by coordination of Layer 2 and Layer 3.
Achievement evaluation framework (RS = SL + IL)
Runtime Stability Level (RS) combines Runtime Security Level (SL) and Runtime Immunity Level (IL).
- SL: 0–3
- IL: 0–3
- RS: 0–6 (RS = SL + IL)
NOTICE: RS is an ordinal scale; multiple SL/IL combinations can yield the same RS value. Choose configurations based on domain requirements.
Recommended application domains (examples)
- RS-3: SaaS, online trading
- RS-4: financial institutions, healthcare systems
- RS-5: autonomous vehicles
- RS-6: defense-related, critical infrastructure
RS-6 (highest level): definition and limitations (summary)
RS-6 = SL-3 (Integrated Detection) + IL-3 (Practical Nullification).
RS-6 is the strongest practical defense under current cryptographic assumptions, but it is not “complete protection.”
Canonical text (copy-ready)
Runtime Stability is a technology framework for structurally maintaining the seven Protection Attributes defined on this page when a computer system faces cyberattacks, failures, or anomalies during execution (runtime).