Optimizing topological cascade resilience based on the structure of terrorist networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates the resilience of terrorist networks to cascade failures, revealing their unique structure, and proposes an optimization method to enhance network resilience while maintaining efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization approach for constructing cascade-resilient networks based on star topology cells, with insights into when modifications are counterproductive.

Findings

Terrorist networks are inherently cascade-resilient with high efficiency.

Networks become more vulnerable beyond certain thresholds.

Optimal networks are composed of star topology cells.

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.