Control centrality and hierarchical structure in complex networks

PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44459. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044459. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Abstract

We introduce the concept of control centrality to quantify the ability of a single node to control a directed weighted network. We calculate the distribution of control centrality for several real networks and find that it is mainly determined by the network's degree distribution. We show that in a directed network without loops the control centrality of a node is uniquely determined by its layer index or topological position in the underlying hierarchical structure of the network. Inspired by the deep relation between control centrality and hierarchical structure in a general directed network, we design an efficient attack strategy against the controllability of malicious networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Models, Theoretical

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Network Science Collaborative Technology Alliance sponsored by the United States Army Research Laboratory under Agreement Number W911NF-09-2-0053; the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under Agreement Number 11645021; the Defense Threat Reduction Agency award WMD BRBAA07-J-2-0035; and the generous support of Lockheed Martin. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.