How to minimise the chances of a terror attack at the Olympic Games – new paper

Counter-terrorism experts have proposed a method for minimising the chances of a terrorist attack at this summer’s Olympic Games.

The global super-event is an ideal opportunity for terrorists due to its visibility, size and number of people involved, according to experts from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, the Air Force Institute of Technology, USA, and the Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica, in Brazil.

Professor Gilberto Montibeller, who led the research team, said the Games differs from other well-studied counter-terrorism analyses because the defensive measures are purposely made public to increase deterrence against terrorist attacks.

In a new paper, published in the journal Risk Analysis, the team identifies a system of visible defensive measures, such as sniffer dog patrols and anti-missile protection, to mitigate the threat of various forms of attack – for example, bomb vests and projectiles.

The countermeasures are defined as possible scenarios with the attacker’s odds of success assigned to each possible choice of venue target in a counter-terrorist decision model.

Prof Montibeller said: “This is a type of game-theory model in which the defender moves first. The attacker then observes the defender's move before then deciding what to do next.

“For example, the defence would plan to use an anti-missile system to protect the Olympic stadium.

“The attackers see the anti-missile system and give up the use of a missile and consider instead bringing a bomb-vest.

“The defence would put in place sniffer dogs. So, the attackers would give up the idea of a bomb-vest and choose other means of attack.

“This goes on until attackers give up any kind of attack.

“The advantage of using this method is that the defence can understand the strategy of the attacker and use efficiently resources for protecting the sports venues.”

The model was validated with security experts responsible for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The measures deployed in Brazil included inspections, explosive detectors, sniffer dog patrols, antiaircraft batteries, command and control centres, closed-circuit camera systems, fences, and obstacles at stadiums, hotels, and tourist attractions.

However, the cost of these deterrents totalled more than $1.2bn BRL (£278 million).

The research team showed in the paper that a more rational allocation of resources could have provided the same level of deterrence with less expenditure.

The new decision support method allows organisers of mega-events to calculate the chances of the most probable attacks and deploy measures accordingly, at a much lower cost.

“It is possible that high levels of deterrence can be achieved with a smaller budget increasing the value-for-money in these defensive investments,” said Prof Montibeller.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 21/133

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in the Guardian University League Table 2021, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2021.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

Categories