SPIDER: Enabling interoperable information sharing between public institutions for efficient disaster recovery and response

Abstract

The interoperability of the data sharing across different organizations is key for the efficient management of large-scale incidents. The system introduced in this paper will provide multi-disciplinary rescue teams with an integrated and intelligent communication and information system for efficient data sharing and emergency process management before, during and after major incidents. The project SPIDER (Security System for Public Institutions in Disastrous Emergency scenaRios) is part of the national research initiative Scenario based Civil Security Research and substantially funded by the German government. It will (a) facilitate a standardized XML based interface for a service oriented interoperability architecture and (b) provide substantial new insight on how to enable components in distinct critical networks for secure collaboration. With respect to (a), these interfaces will be coupled with recommendations on the orchestration of the provided services. As heterogeneous crisis information systems require standardized gateways, SPIDER uses Web Services in order to mutually interact. Thus, a fail-save communication infrastructure (b) that interconnects the required components is indispensable. Especially the usage of modern systems and the consequential high demand to the data rate pose a challenge to the system. The combination of (a) and (b) will lead to a holistic approach for digital crisis management. © 2010 IEEE.