Hagenberg Risk Management Process (Part 1): Multidimensional Polar Heatmaps for Context-Sensitive Risk Analysis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multidimensional polar heatmap model that enhances risk analysis for complex infrastructures by integrating additional context dimensions, addressing limitations of traditional 2D risk matrices.

Contribution

It proposes a formal multidimensional polar heatmap model that incorporates context dimensions, extending classical risk matrices for system-oriented risk analysis.

Findings

Formalizes ND polar heatmaps for risk analysis

Demonstrates integration of context dimensions

Extends classical risk matrices as a special case

Abstract

Traditional two-dimensional risk matrices (heatmaps) are widely used to model and visualize likelihood and impact relationships, but they face fundamental methodological limitations when applied to complex infrastructures. In particular, regulatory frameworks such as NIS2 and DORA call for more context-sensitive and system-oriented risk analysis. We argue that incorporating contextual dimensions into heatmaps enhances their analytical value. As a first step towards our Hagenberg Risk Management Process for complex infrastructures and systems, this paper introduces a multidimensional (ND) polar heatmap as a formal model that explicitly integrates additional context dimensions and subsumes classical two-dimensional models as a special case.