7–9 Apr 2026
Jaarbeurs Supernova
Europe/Amsterdam timezone

Security Days Organisational Committee

A mental model for better security

8 Apr 2026, 16:20
5m
Progress Room (Jaarbeurs Supernova)

Progress Room

Jaarbeurs Supernova

Utrecht, Netherlands
Lightning Talk (5 min) Lightning Talks

Speaker

Cornelia Puhze (SWITCH)

Description

A mental model is the internal map we use to understand how something works. It allows us to predict outcomes, see connections, and make better decisions, especially in complex environments. Without a coherent mental model, we rely on isolated rules; with one, we can reason, adapt, and develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy.

As a practitioner I’ve realised, that many people don’t have a coherent basic mental model of the digital world we live in, which has considerable consequences not just for their safety, their organisations security but also to digital citizenship and our collective future. In 5 minutes, I’ll just cover why we’ve come up with this workshop, how we’ve developed it in co-creation with our community and how anyone can use it with their constituents.

About the GÉANT Digital Safety Fresco
The GÉANT Digital Safety Fresco is a collaborative, card-based workshop that helps non-technical participants build a clear mental model of the digital world through four pillars: data, devices, software, and networks. By making the system visible, including its hidden layers, the workshop enables participants to better understand why security practices matter and how they can be safer online.

The GÉANT Digital Safety Fresco was co-created in a workshop of the Swiss Security and Learning Community in collaboration with the GÉANT Awareness Task Force for the Security Awareness Community.

Presentation materials