A five-layer model for the analysis of complex socio-technical systems

ABSTRACTCurrent systems, which connect things and people through computer systems, have had a considerable effect on society. Not only are things connected, but systems, the people who use them, and organizations have a complex relationship. In order to model a complex system, we propose to use a variant of the layers pattern to de-scribe the system control structure using five layers according to the lifecycle of soft-ware and other system requirements. This model applies several techniques such as safety, security, risk, and incident analysis. We thus extend the System Theoretic Accident Model and Process (STAMP) model, proposed by Nancy Leveson, to produce the System Theoretic Architecture Model and Process (STAMP S&S). The reason for the term Architecture rather than Accident is that it extends STAMP with a five-layer hierarchical pattern variant and a process, necessary for various analyses. A way to perform analysis in each layer and to generate specifications and standards ensuring safety and security or other qualities is proposed based on the STAMP S&S Five-layer model.