On Thursday, I went to the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota to see Bruce Schneier entitled Security Theater as part of the Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power exhibit that is at the Weisman until April 20, 2008.
In this program, Bruce Schneier helps separate "security theater", or a fictive performance of safety and prevention, from its actual and effective workings.
My context of Bruce is mostly computer or technology related security. The topics he addressed were not focused on computer, national, or even personal security. This lecture focused more on the psychology of security and his Feeling-Model-Reality view of security in society.
Security Theater Presentation
The presentation started with a distinction between the Feeling of security as being separate from the Reality of security. The goal of this model is to bring both these things together. As a Venn Diagram, these two areas would overlap as much as possible.
Bruce also explained that the risks we take, what amount of security we will give up, is a trade-off, in the economical sense. There are many factors in this trade-off. But we usually will take the Feeling of security over the Reality of security.
Relating the feeling versus the Reality, Bruce stated, "if it's news, it's probably now worth worrying about." This refers to the fact that news is sensational and is meant to be the extraordinary. So, if someone is murdered, no matter how often it happens, and it's on the news, its still an exceptional event. We need to be concerned for the things that are not on the news, the things that have become everyday and desensitized. I really liked this idea.
Security Theater then refers to the idea that an agency is attempting to create the Feeling of security regardless of the Reality of security. His example was after September 11, 2002, there were military personnel in airports with big guns, but these guns were not loaded. The government created a Feeling of security and not necessarily a Reality of security. This is not an inherently bad thing. A Feeling of security is important.
Talking about airport security led to the idea that people making decisions, specifically politicians are obligated to do something especially in the case of security. Doing something, whether helpful or not ensures that certain kinds of blame cannot be put onto that person or agency. For instance, with airport security, each threat that has occurred has reacted a new security measure. Specifically, we have to take off our shoes at security points. We are not actually any safer because of it; but if for some reason, another person hides explosives in their shoes, the TSA cannot be blamed because they "did something". People are not necessarily forgiving for these sort of situations, so doing something is often more important that solving an issue intelligently and deliberately.
So, how do the Feeling and Reality relate? This is where Bruce brought in another entity in the diagram: the Model. The Model is our personal view of how security works; it is our perception. Our Models are very often not the Reality. Still, the Model is very much influenced by both Feeling and Reality. Again, the goal is to have the three areas to overlap.
A security issue like airport security has many interested parties. Unfortunately most of these parties have specific agendas. These agenda push to create a Model that is best fitting for that party. Usually, the forces that drive these agendas are market or economical forces.
The Model should converge with Reality. The idea of expertise is extremely important for this to happen. Our society is much too complex to not have experts. Experts are detrimental for creating a Model that is closest to Reality.
There was a time at the end for questions. I am very interested in voting, and Bruce has done a number of writing and research on Voting Systems, so I asked him if he would apply his presentation to voting systems. His main point in answering the question, and one I can agree with, was that no matter the technology, a society or constituency cannot feel like it's voting system is flawed. The Feeling of security is extremely important in this system.
Conclusion
I was really impressed with this presentation. Granted, I already had a lot of respect for Bruce. Also, my co-workers got him to sign a couple hubs. There are pictures at the top of this post.
Further Resources
- Security Theater article at Wikipedia
- Psychology of Security by Bruce - essay that articulates these ideas much better than I can.



Makina
Excellent link.
It really helped me out a lot!
Great article!
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Thanks for sharing "Security Theater Presentation", i found that is very interesting, good job!
Great post on Security
Great post on Security Theater Presentation. Hat's off to Bruce for all the work and bringing this all together. Sandy
Thanks for sharing.
Great info on this post! Thanks for making it so clear!
Computer
So cute! Keep up the good work!
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This was a very interesting
This was a very interesting article regarding the issue of security. It is important to consider the differences between the Model or security, Feeling of security, and Reality of security. Often time these can intertwine and confuse each other. I enjoyed the linking of the concept of security within the concept of voting. Never before had I ever made a connection between these two.
This was a very interesting
This was a very interesting article regarding the issue of security. It is important to consider the differences between the Model or security, Feeling of security, and Reality of security. Often time these can intertwine and confuse each other. I enjoyed the linking of the concept of security within the concept of voting. Never before had I ever made a connection between these two.
Thanks for letting us know.
Thanks for letting us know.
.
Great post. Security is one of the main issues at present. Where ever we are what ever we are doing we have to look after our selves, our valuables and our data. It is a timely topic and i appreciate you for bringing up the topic. Thnks.
This sounds like an
This sounds like an incredible exhibit. I wonder if it will ever tour?
I find this fascinating
I find this fascinating because I think that theater of security is almost more important than the reality of security when you think about it. Because life is full of chances, sometimes it is important to take them.
I found that is very
I found that is very interesting, good job! Thanks for sharing.Keep it up.
I always like to listen
I always like to listen Bruce`s stories about security. He is very interesting orator.
This is a great post about
This is a great post about Security Theater Presentation.
thanks for posting.
Very Helpful Post
This is a very informative post. I don't think I've come across the angle you present the information under, namely the concepts of feeling of security vs. reality of security. Very original!
different
This was quite an amazing and different presentation. Thanks alot for the wonderful post. it helped me understand many things about security. Keep up the good work.
Very nicely done. Looking
Very nicely done. Looking forward for more. I find this fascinating because I think stock market today that theater of security is almost more important than the reality of security when you think about it.
Very nicely done. Looking
Very nicely done. Looking forward for more. I find this fascinating because I think stock market today that theater of security is almost more important than the reality of security when you think about it.
post
thanks for the post! very interesting.
"The topics he addressed
"The topics he addressed were not focused on computer, national, or even personal security. This lecture focused more on the psychology of security and his Feeling-Model-Reality view of security in society."
It's a brilliant topic! Lecturers often prefer to talk about technology when the topic is security. It's nice to know the technicalities of security, but it's interesting also to explore the psychology behind security.
Thanks for sharing it with
Thanks for sharing it with us...
Feeling intellectually void
Feeling intellectually void after reading the responses to your article.
"We need to be concerned for
"We need to be concerned for the things that are not on the news, the things that have become everyday and desensitized."
I like the idea of Security Theater. Though it just depicts the presence of an agency trying to instill peace and security, it nevertheless acts as one, and therefore infuses peace within a community.
Hello
Thank you for your valuable information. Safety is in our time, takes a prominent place. You have a useful and a great post.
Airport Security
I completely agree that after 9/11 it was lot of fuss here and there. AT that time feeling of security was important as all people were feeling unsafe specially all those people who were traveling by air.many of them quit traveling by air.Although a person standing with an empty gun cant do much if circumstances arise but it certainly help in feeling secure by the people.
Substantial
Bruce has made substantial contributions by writing this article...
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Thanks a lot for this useful post, the info is pretty good and easy to follow desciption. Keep the good work Alan.
Very..
Cool stuff. Pretty cool you got him to sign your hub. Definitely jealous..
The presentation was really
The presentation was really good, I had heard from a friend. I missed the opportunity to attend that due to a Financial conferrence at my office. Hope to attend the next.
Hey....
Thanks for posting this article. Really helpful.
Schneier Knows Best
I've got this guys latest book titled Schneier on Security, it is very insightful. We don't take security lightly. When it comes to Web Design Manchester you cant afford mistakes or lapses.
Good post guys, I would definately attend any presentation of his.
I enjoyed his presentation too.
I think that security is important especially when it comes to car hire insurance.
Having security is really
Having security is really important. Thanks for putting together this article.
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Feeling of security regardless
Feelings of security might be important as not to cause further unrest or panic. Good article.
Some similiarities
When I finished reading this article, it seems somewhat similar to that being taught in marketing class, that perceived value can be different than the real value. Thus increasing or decreasing the price. It's brought by human nature to perceive - or in this article it is called "feeling" - and give value to something.
Impressed
I am impressed
Talking about airport
Talking about airport security led to the idea that people making decisions, specifically politicians are obligated to do something especially in the case of security. Now, Doing something is always very good!
Thanks for the interesting
Thanks for the interesting post. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
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I agree with you that
I agree with you that feeling of security is far more important than the reality of security because what we as normal people feel is essential to how we react and act within it. But apart from that, I think giving a sense of feeling of security along with reality of security would be ideal because if we find out that those feelings were not true, it may create anger. And you can never take anyone for-granted, just be real as well :)
Regards
Debbie
Thank you for the great article
The reality of the model of security and the differences between Feeling of security, and Reality of security are very different. Good article and perspective