Optimizing Topological Cascade Resilience Based on the Structure of Terrorist Networks

Alexander Gutfraind

PLOS ONE, 2010, vol. 5, issue 11, 1-7

Abstract: Complex socioeconomic networks such as information, finance and even terrorist networks need resilience to cascades - to prevent the failure of a single node from causing a far-reaching domino effect. We show that terrorist and guerrilla networks are uniquely cascade-resilient while maintaining high efficiency, but they become more vulnerable beyond a certain threshold. We also introduce an optimization method for constructing networks with high passive cascade resilience. The optimal networks are found to be based on cells, where each cell has a star topology. Counterintuitively, we find that there are conditions where networks should not be modified to stop cascades because doing so would come at a disproportionate loss of efficiency. Implementation of these findings can lead to more cascade-resilient networks in many diverse areas.

Date: 2010
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0013448

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013448

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