A Brief Overview on Applications of Multi Criteria Decision Making Methods in Web Application Security

Abstract

Various fields of endeavours have seen the increasing application of multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, this includes web application security as new challenges arise in the sector. More MCDM methods are being created and existing methods are combined to give better solutions. This paper performs a review of selected works that are related to the use of MCDM in web application security, examining the methods used, applications and results. Twenty one works were reviewed, with ten papers critically analysed, all published between 2014 and 2023. They were analysed based on MCDM techniques used and security evaluation methods. Results from this review shows that combined MCDM methods were more effective in addition to AHP, TOPSIS and fuzzy-techniques being prevalent. The review carried out in this paper provides a clear insight on various potential applications of MCDM in web application security.