A modified connectivity link addition strategy to improve the resilience of multiplex networks against attacks

• A resilience evaluation approach for multiplex networks is proposed. • The effectiveness of connectivity link addition for improving the resilience of multiplex networks against attacks is investigated. • A modified connectivity link addition optimization approach is presented to improve the resilience of multiplex networks. Current studies have shifted from the analysis of single-layer network to multi-layer network. However, the performance of multi-layer networks has been significantly influenced by inevitable disturbances; therefore, the resilience of such networks must be maintained. Previous studies on the resilience of multi-layer networks have mainly focused on interdependent networks rather than on multiplex networks, which means that the effectiveness of current methods to improve the resilience of multiplex networks remains limited. To solve these issues, this study develops a two-layer multiplex network and describes failure propagation models by motifs in single-layer and multiplex networks. An approach to evaluate the resilience of multiplex networks is proposed, followed by strategies for its improvement. In particular, an extensive investigation into the effectiveness of connectivity link addition strategies to protect against degree-based targeted attacks is presented. A modified connectivity link addition approach based on degree deviation is proposed to find an optimal strategy under cascading failure to maintain the resilience of multiplex networks from a complex network perspective. Finally, some numerical examples and a real case study of EU-AIR multiplex networks are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.