Friday, January 06, 2006

Security Incident Mapping

One of the challenges of NGO security, especially in places where there may be a large number of incidents occurring, is getting a big picture view of what’s happening. Check out this just released OCHA-prepared map of security incidents that took place in Nepal in December, 2005. It gives you a general sense of what’s happening in the country as well as basic details regarding the incidents. Pretty slick.

Visually representing data is a powerful tool and can better help explain the current security environment to management and other decision makers. Keep in mind that you don’t need to have a professional artist, cartographer or GIS person on staff like OCHA to produce incident maps. A simple dry erase whiteboard with a map outline and using colored markers for different incidents works just fine. (Hint: If you’re using a whiteboard to track monthly incidents, use a digital camera to take a picture of the map before you erase the incidents at the end of the month. This lets you keep a handy archive of past incident maps.)

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent job, Blogger(s)! Let me know how and where I can help with information sharing, networking, etc, All the best, Sam Sherman, Security Coordinator, InterAction
1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 701, Washington DC 20036
(202) 667-8227 x107
(202) 667-8236 (fax)
(914) 478-3357 (hm)
ssherman@interaction.org

12:28 PM  

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