Accepted:
December 2004
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/vol12/msid04/ | © Copyright 2008 | |||
| Volume 12 | Received: Accepted: |
November 2004 December 2004 |
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Scale-Free Networks and Robustness of Critical Infrastructure Networks
Anthony H. Dekker, Bernard Colbert |
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| Abstract | |
| We examine the robustness of critical infrastructure networks, specifically aspects which relate to the network topology. We describe some simulation studies which identify a number of characteristics that make a network robust in the face of terrorist attacks, taking link capacity into account. Our simulations utilise a network analysis package called CAVALIER, which we have developed. Our results confirm the resistance of scale-free networks to random failures, but not to targeted terrorist attacks. We show that physical networks, including telecommunications networks, are not scale-free, and therefore the robustness of other kinds of networks is more relevant to critical infrastructure. However, terrorist organisations are structured as scale-free networks, which suggests that they might themselves be vulnerable. We examine the feasibility of targeting scale-free networks by examining two historical case studies, from the 1st and 14th centuries. | |
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Multimedia Links (none) Reference Links (none) Citation Reference Anthony H. Dekker, Bernard Colbert 2008, Scale-Free Networks and Robustness of Critical Infrastructure Networks, Complexity International, Volume 12, Paper ID: msid04, URL: http://www.complexity.org.au/vol12/msid04/ |
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