Better assessment of security measures
The 'Mastering the value function of security measures' (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.
Keywords
Security measures, decision support, impact assessment, security research
