VALUESEC

Mastering the Value Function of Security Measures

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The Task of VALUESEC is defining, context modeling, weighting and quantifying attributes of costs and benefits, advantages and disadvantages of security measures, and demonstration of an application tool evaluating the different effects and the aggregated value of security measures. It will generate a knowledge base of the status and trends in theory and in practical applications of methods of economics applied to security decision making. The great challenge will be to combine economical (mostly quantitative) and societal effects (mostly qualitative) of security measures into a “value function”, one methodology framework and integrate it into a toolkit which will be flexible and user friendly, and applicable to a large spectrum of possible decisions in the security domain. Decisions supported by this tool will be more transparent and better rationalized than present. Project approach: - Problem Analysis and Requirements: Which typical problem classes should be addressed? Analyze and describe decision making processes and requirements for improvement. - Theories, Methodologies, Components: Which existing approaches to value and utility functions can be exploited to security decisions? Identification of innovation potential. - Design and usability: Which functions should the tool be capable to perform to provide for effective decision support? Define functionality, attributes and usable models and map them against identified problem classes - Development: How will the system work? Transformation of the models and utility function into applicable tools. - Evaluation: How do the implemented tools really work and help? Proof of the power and applicability of the tools in realistic use cases. - Dissemination and exploitation: How will findings and results be propagated and brought to practical use? How should research on security economics continue? Help pave the way to a future with more transparent and valuable security decisions.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers advanced a decision support methodology and demonstrated a software tool for policy-level stakeholders in the security domain. The work contributes to the priorities of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for 'cost-benefit analysis of the present and future security measures in Europe'.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The 'Mastering the value function of security measures' (http://www.valuesec.eu/ (VALUESEC)) considered risk reduction assessment (RRA), (strictly monetary) cost-benefit assessment (CBA) and qualitative criteria assessment (QCA). Partners achieved all project goals and milestones. Deliverables have been submitted to the European Commission Research Executive Agency (REA), with which the consortium will discuss further exploitation of its methodology and toolset for an impact assessment of security research.

Early project work enhanced understanding of what decision-making entails in the security context. The team developed a comprehensive assessment framework outlining available theories, methodologies and tools supporting decisions related to security. The framework formed the base for work related to the QCA pillar of analysis.

Three stakeholder workshops were organised to support development of the VALUESEC toolset, which integrates the three assessment pillars of RRA, CBA and QCA. The prototype was tested and validated in individual use case experiments covering decision-making contexts related to public mass events, public transportation, aviation security, communal security planning, and cyber security. The toolset has been implemented as a web-based solution.

Successful dissemination activities included establishing an online presence (including a website and public repository for deliverables), presentation of results at scientific and technical events, scientific publications and a final conference.

The project's methodology supports the following stakeholders in assessing the impact of security research: European Commission and third-party evaluators, consortia proposing research projects and consortia carrying out research projects. Its proposed holistic approach to assessing security measures in a policy context can also be applied to the assessment of societal impacts of security research.

Project outcomes facilitate better security-related policy decisions, and improve on the overall transparency of potential costs and benefits of security measures.