Roles
Research
Interviews
UX/ UI Concept
Corporate Design
Webdesign
Prototyp
Bachelor Thesis
B.A. Communication Design
Country
Germany
Timeline
September`15 – December`15
Zero Day – an interactive platform to inform about Cyberwar and its impacts
Cyberwar is not a Science-Fiction scenario anymore. The threat is more current than ever before. Through the growing numbers of cyberattacks, the term »Cyberwar« is used more often by the media and It-Experts. They describe it as a real threat. However, the term »Cyberwar« is used for any type of cyberattack by the media, whereas experts define »Cyberwar« as an action of nations. Actually many countries are preparing themselves. They are developing defensive and offensive strategies to be prepared for the new virtual threat.
A challenge of this study was first to bring order into the diversity of information. The user is offered a simple and clear insight into the topic and at the same time one should be capable of gaining access to more detailed information. An attractive design concept arouses interest to deal with this abstract topic. An interactive userfriendliness allows, depending on the prior knowledge and interest of the user, to enter different levels of information.
The currentness of this topic needs also a quick access to receive information.
These aims can be achieved perfectly by implementing an interactive internet platform instead of writing a book. This concept was developed in cooperation with activists, experts and grassroots initiatives. The aim was to publish their knowledge and their different approaches to cyberwar. This is an opportunity to bring some of those outputs to the attention of the general public in a way which is accessible and can capture their awareness.
01
Requirements
The goal of my Bachelor Thesis was to create an Interactive website platform concept to educate about the topic of »Cyberwar« .
Research & Expert Interviews
Conception & UX Design
Design Elements
UI Design & Webdesign
Interactive Data Visualization
– Sandro Gaycken, 2013 (German Cyberwar Expert)
»We do not have to overreact now. But we should react. Properly. Fair. And soon.«
02
Introduction
Cyberwar is long gone no more fictitious »science fiction scenarios«, because the threat is more relevant than ever. Due to the increasing number of cyber attacks, executed by hackers from all over world, the term »cyberwar« is becoming increasingly popular more often by media. Thereby, in the media the term »cyberwar« mostly uncritical used for any kind of cyber attack, whereas the experts talk about cyberwar, when state actors are involved. Indeed
the militaries of many states are preparing with defensive and offensive strategies to this new virtual danger situation.
The issue is therefore of the highest political importance as the cyber attack opportunities the potential include the worldwide changing state power constellations. In this context, in the Literature also talked about anti-asymmetry. So there are important reasons making sure the population is informed about the changed Danger situation. By the technical complexity and abstractness of the impact of such attacks it will hardly possible for anyone to gain an insight into win this issue. Consequently it shapes itself for the majority of laypeople very difficult to form an opinion about the danger situation to form, as there are lurid exaggerations of public media and complex technical reports of the IT experts to face.
It was initially a challenge of this work to structure in the variety and breadth of to provide information on this subject. The user should have a simpler and clearer provide insight into the subject which at the same time allows access to be deepened information. In doing so, through a attractive creative concept the desire be woken up with this abstract deal with the topic.
With an interactive internet platform the stated goals could excellently be implemented. The inhibition to confront yourself with this abstract subject on an interactive website is lower than grabbing a complex book instead. An interactive user guide allows him, depending on previous knowledge and interest, to different degrees of depth to access the right information. And finally requires a highly dynamic development of the complex topic like »cyberwar« a fast and current medium of communication.
03
Challenge & Solution
Problem & Challenge
The cyberwar theme is made up of various reasons difficult to as certain. For one is a basic understanding of technical Connections necessary to the possibilities understand cyber attacks. To the others must be military and political effects of the new possibilities of warfare be recognized. This leads to there are few experts who have both requirements bring and from it scientifically reasoned assessments and able to formulate forecasts.
The core of the problem is that we all live in a real world, the danger of one Cyberwars, however, from a virtual parallel world threatens. This virtual parallel world opens up but not to our senses. Tt can neither be seen nor felt. Due to the ever-increasing dependency the real world from this virtual parallel world but can interference, attacks and conflicts in this virtual parallel world large have an impact on our lives.
Solution
This problem can only be solved if manages the variety of information on this arrange topic. This way you can the most important for a user with little knowledge connections of cyber war conveyed will. For this it is necessary that the complex technical discussions in short, clear texts be processed so that the most important consequences without intensive literature studies can be mediated. supplementary the internet platform must be able to an in-depth examination of give to the topic. This enables the user to check whether the abbreviated text representation actually the scientific discussion status reproduces.
Goal
»The goal is to inform about the danger from the virtual parallel world and to convey a basic understanding what impact it has on our real world. To this end people with different prior knowledge should be addressed. The internet platform should provide factual information, but also be designed attractively so that it will be fun to use. Interactive elements and clear visualizations should encourage to create an active learning experience.«
03
Research
Comprehensive research work was necessary to prepare such a complex topic as cyberwar. My goal was at one time to make the content accessible in an easy way but at the same time also to reflect the current state of research correctly. It was necessary to evaluate all research work and current press releases on that topic. In addition, I interviewed two recognized Cyberwar experts in Berlin. With the interviews I could clarify some specific individual questions and could rethink my conceptual considerations about my digital plattform. In my second research part I could analyze existing competitor´s plattforms and define my audience group better.
Literature and Internet Research
The topicality and importance of the topic will at the variety and the extent of this publish works clearly. One Google query about cyberwar returns more than 960,000 websites found. This puts the research work before large ones selection problems. I have in this regard nine books on the subject (see bibliography). With the newspaper articles on the topic I have updated on Article focused from 2015. Included the online appearances of FAZ, Zeit, Spiegel, New York Times and The Guardian evaluated. In addition, many evaluated websites on the subject. In I basically support my argument to the statements of three cyberwar Experts:
On the one hand there is Dr. Sandro Gaycken, Director of the Digital Society Institute Berlin (ESMT Berlin). He is one of the leading experts in IT security and deals with the Impact of Information Technologies on our society.
Second expert is Dr. Peter Warren Singer. He is Director of the Foreign Policy Project about US policy towards the Islamic World at the Brookings Institution.
The third cyberwar expert is Richard A. Clarke. He was u. a. Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs (Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs) im United States Department of State, under President Bill Clinton for counter-terrorism responsible and under President George W. Bush he worked as a special adviser for cyber security.
IALANA conference, Wiesbaden
Specialist conference and expert interviews
“Hessen” state parliament. This conference was by IALANA, a peace association of carried out by lawyers. International experts and politicians discussed here about the activities of the international secret services and the new ones technical warfare. This conference gave me important impulses for structuring my topic. I was able to bring my topics into the plenary discussions contribute and thereby have important receive feedback. With the speakers Claudia Haydt from the Militarization Information Center (IMI) and Janine Wissler, the group leader the party DIE LINKE in Hesse I was able to in a detailed one-on-one interview
explain my project idea. Both have promised me your support and
important references to further literature given, as well as contacts to the important ones Cyberwar experts procured.
As a result of the symposium I Contact with Sandro Gayken, one of the most important Cyberwar and Cybersecurity Experts included in Germany. He was very interested in my topic and has me to Berlin for an interview invited.
After a short introductory talk I have an extensive interview with him performed, which I recorded as a video have and now an important part of my website is. I have to prepare a detailed interview guide created a total of 20 questions. was interesting that the interview ended with an important phone call
was interrupted. In this phone call it was about security vulnerabilities of the IT systems of a critical infrastructure in Germany.
Sandro Gaycken gave me a lot of important tips and documents for further development of relevant data, especially for the Source data of hazard indices provided. He also put me in touch with one made by hackers known to him.
This hacker who wants to remain anonymous is a political scientist and a member of the international Hacker center c-base in Berlin.
The c-base is in the middle of Berlin, but is on the way across several backyards only difficult to reach. The actual club room is in the basement of the building. After the founding myth of the association is this from the remains of a formerly crashed
space station. These club rooms are only accessible to members. There are countless here PCs, screens and other technical facilities. Computer geeks and hackers sit in the dark, engrossed in their programs or exchange ideas in small groups about new tricks. There is one on the ground floor Furnished bar lounge. Everything is again darkened, there are no windows. In the middle of the offensively celebrated subculture of the Berliners Hackerscene I met my anonymous interlocutor.
He tells about his experiences and his assessments of cyber attacks and cyber war. I also go with him my conception by. He sees some content-related topics slightly different than Sandro Gayken. He punches further subject areas before and communicated to me important data sources for me. The idea of a »Interactive Map« to visualize the anti-asymmetries He finds asymmetries very interesting. He but doubts in conversation that it is for everyone countries of the world map there relevant data. I’ve been in e-mail contact with him for a long time. My final concept for the »Interactive Map« he finds it very successful. He was surprised, that I have scientifically reliable information for all indices found data.
Sandro Gaycken, Cyberwar Expert
C-base, Berlin
Competition Analysis
I have a total of five websites with me examined with a similar focus. The competing platforms became pole models analyzed according to criteria relevant for are important to my goal. became the pole »provides an introduction to the topic« »requires basic knowledge«, as well as the poles »sensational« was chosen against »objective«. the Classification of competitor websites revealed that the more factual information are imparted, all the more basic knowledge be assumed. The only side the uninformed a good one »netwars« offers an introduction to the topic. here however, becomes very sensational and sensational attempts an acute threat conveyed through cyberwar. kick at it the factually neutral information often in the background.
With another pole model, the operating philosophy of pages examined. here the poles »static user guidance« were opposed
»individual movement« and »interactive« rated against »non-interactive«. Exposed has that »netwars«, the side with the most interactive elements, the User relatively sequentially, i.e. statically, through leads the subject areas.
The other sides have significantly fewer interactive elements and leave, as more classically constructed Homepages, individual choices too. The less transparent page structure hinders however, an individual movement of the Users.
The result of the pole model analysis is shown a need for a website that is factual informed about cyberwar. This however, information should be prepared in this way be that even beginners without previous knowledge can be addressed. This website should be on the operating level through attractive and interactive elements to arouse interest. At the same time should different user types through diverse Freedom of navigation addressed will.
Audience Analysis & Personas
The goal of the internet platform is to get people to inform about the cyberwar problem and give them access to deepening to offer information. On the one hand should people are reached who have been hardly dealt with the topic. on the other hand should also include those new findings win, already dealing with the topic
know about to these different user types and their specific requirements and different to analyze topic approaches, three sample types were designed. In the further conceptual work they were considered reference. Content and design decisions have always been at these three example types mirrored. Only if its differentiated demands served and their different prior knowledge is taken into accountwere, it was assumed, that the decisions in terms of the target groups became.
04
Concept and UX
The challenge with the content concept design was that numerous crowd of literature on this topic in the sense of my organize goal setting. The outline structure of the evaluated books and Internet pages could not be accepted will. They were either too strong on one single topic aligned or they added a lot of basic technical knowledge.
Information Architecture
I started by collecting questions from the perspective of
the three different target group personas. It turns out that the questions are assigned to four subject areas. Among other things
the questions deal with the definition of terms and the specifics of Cyberwar: »Cyberwar what is that actually?« The second
Question block deals more with the real effects of the cyberwar: »I am not affected as I am not dependent on the internet
am.« The third block poses the question according to the current relevance of the topic: »The it’s all science fiction.« And finally
is asked in the fourth block of questions after the power-political
Effects asked: »How strong is Germany affected?«
The basic content structure of the website is based on these four thematic blocks. The results of my own research are assigned to these thematic blocks. Under the title »Virtual Warfare« a
Cyberwar Definition and Explanation of the specific cyberwar conditions. In the “Real Impacts” block, the effects of the parallel world on the real one world and the resulting vulnerabilities of the systems shown. Under »Current Attacks« become known Cyber attacks in recent years are shown. The fourth block “Potential Threats” deals deal with the effects on the power structure the global community of states.
Site map
User Experience
The content structure of the website results from the sitemap. This structure can be realized through different user interface concepts (UI). In the project have developed two different UI concepts. They were made up of different aspects derived from the content of the topic. The user experience was conceptually thereby considered that I have possible navigation paths (Userpath) of the target persons created have. I have the two »Personas« selected whose profiles are most evident
have distinguished so both extremes of the target group are taken into account. By analyzing the userpath of the target group
could then come up with a suitable UI concept to be selected.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Wireframes
Concept 1: »Parallel World «
Concept 2: »Four Columns «
Userpaths
Decision for the »Four Columns« Concept
Analysis of the userpath shows that the different user types different assistance in navigating the need website. Target Pauline
relies heavily on sequential operator prompting. It is thus part of a thematic block led to the next. After a deepening of the content it goes again and again back to the starting level. Target person
»Sebastian« would like to decide for himself in the order in which he works on the individual topics. He can relate to very deep levels of information move without the guidance of need an overview page. These different user behaviors are with the second UI concept »FOUR COLUMNS« better supported. Here will be faster clear that in addition to the sequential implementation also self-determined navigation is possible. That’s why I have the UI concept »FOUR COLUMNS« selected and implemented.
04
Design Elements
The important goal of the website is with the user interested in dealing with the topic to wake up. So that this interest too
while using the website does not wear off quickly, always need
new suggestions are given again. This can be more playful through interactive elements or by varied and exciting content is conveyed.
Colors
Poisonous Green
RGB ( 0 | 255 | 105 )
CMYK (63 | 0 | 0 | 0)
#00ff69
Neutral Grey
RGB ( 56 | 64 | 76 )
CMYK (77 | 62 | 47 | 47)
# 38404c
Drak Grey
RGB ( 41 | 47 | 57 )
CMYK (82 | 68 | 51 | 60)
#292f39
Black
RGB (0 | 0 | 0)
CMYK (0 | 0 | 0 |100)
#000000
In contrast to other cyberwar websites, which mainly through a red color concept are marked, dominates on a poisonous shade of green on the ZeroDay website. Red is the color of war, »cyber war« however, differs from conventional ones war and takes new properties on. This difference should also be reflected in the express color design. »Cyber war« behaves like a poison: it poisons the target systems, which can ultimately be destroyed.
A toxic neon green should therefore color it to express.
25%
50%
75%
100%
Gradations were made for the individual chapters of the shade of green used (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Here the poisoning process clear. Arrived in the last Chapter on the potential dangers points out, the “poison” shows its full effect.
Logo Design
