Enabling Theory-Based Continuous Assurance: A Coherent Approach with Semantics and Automated Synthesis

Srivatsan Varadarajan, Robin Bloomfield, John Rushby, Gopal Gupta, Anitha Murugesan, Robert J. Stroud, Kateryna Netkachova, Isaac Hong Wong, Joaquín Arias

Abstract: Assurance cases are gaining traction as a viable means of certification in various safety/security critical industries. In this paper, we introduce a theory-based, property-driven continuous assurance framework that eliminates ad-hoc case constructions through emphasis on validity and soundness of the arguments, confidence of the claims/arguments/evidences and the systematized specification of defeaters. We then describe tools and automation support for semantic analysis of assurance cases and their synthesis. Finally, we showcase a continuous assurance tools infrastructure through an example.