It's critical that we understand how terrorist networks operate, grow, and evolve. John Robb talks with Valdis Krebs on how the terrorist network that attacked on 9/11 was organized and how we can use a similar network analysis to improve our ability to protect crtical infrastructure.

Network analysis is a hot topic. It is at the core of our ability to unwind terrorist networks and how we can protect our critical infrastructure from disruption. In the first half of the show, Valdis Krebs provides insight into how the 9/11 terrorist network was organized. He demonstrates how their networked architecture provided the group both extreme robustness (against discovery) and effectiveness (an ability to get the job done). Also explored: "adaptability through recombination", dynamic network analysis, and more.

In the second part of the show Valdis and John discuss how network analysis can improve the robustness of critical infrastructure. Valdis provides insight into different types of network vulnerabilities and what can be done about them (including those in Iraq, Russia, and Saudi Arabia). We conclude with a discussion of how we can create a network of our own to counter the networks of global guerrillas.

Valdis is a management consultant and the developer of InFlow, a software based, organization network analysis methodology that maps and measures knowledge exchange, information flow, communities of practice, networks of alliances and other networks within and between organizations. Through eye-opening graphics and revealing measures, this technique allows managers to see what was once invisible.

This program is one of a series entitled Intelligent Defense hosted by John Robb. For more information, visit John's Global Guerillas web site.