Security modeling technique: Visualizing information of security plans

Since the terrorist attacks of 11th September 2001 efforts are made to enhance the security standards in maritime shipping. The joint research project VESPER (improving the security of passengers on ferries) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) addresses among others the investigation of sea- and landside measures and processes. One of the results of the ongoing analysis phase is that the current representation of information in security plans can hardly be used for a complete real-time implementation of relevant measures in critical situations. As a result, information and design requirements to develop a Security Modeling Technique (SMT) were identified using the Applied Cognitive Work Analysis (ACWA). SMT intends to support decision making of security officers during the implementation of security levels. This contribution describes the phases of development and the resulting design concept.