ABSTRACT
This chapter focusses on the strengths and vulnerabilities of networks in the context of organised criminal groups. We explore the concept of network resilience and, in particular, how networks can continue to survive and even flourish in the face of attacks or challenges. We review strengths and vulnerabilities of networks from both structural and dynamic perspectives. Structural perspectives relate to the pattern of ties that form networks, such as those characterised by hubs or actors who have a proportionally large number of ties to other actors. Dynamic attributes include the social processes that underpin those relationships. We explore the capacity of networks to adapt and change in order to combat threats. Finally, we examine how networks balance strengths and vulnerabilities to ensure survival. In particular, we outline the security-efficiency trade-off in which networks that operate in illicit contexts must balance structures that ensure efficiency of operation with overall security.
