BIKINI state

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BIKINI Alert States (most serious at top):

RED	Information has been received about an attack on a specific target. It can also mean "red alert", meaning the United Kingdom is at war, especially if there's a likelihood of a nuclear strike.
AMBER	There has been specific information received and there is a substantial threat to government targets. It can also mean "High alert", which could be a transition to war.
BLACK SPECIAL	There is an increased likelihood of an attack, but no defined target. It can also mean "potential terrorist threat".
BLACK	There has been an assessment made that there is the possibility of an attack, but no defined target. It can also mean "possible civil unrest", meaning security can't be guaranteed.
WHITE	No information available about a specific threat. It can also mean "situation stable"

The BIKINI state is an indication of an alert state currently used by the British government, specifically the Ministry of Defence, to warn of non-specific forms of terrorist activity. In addition, the TESSERAL system is used to warn of a specific threat of terrorist use of surface to air missiles and/or anti-aircraft guns. The scale is also used by HM Prison Service in England and Wales.

These alert states are also posted at the entrance to government buildings and military installations in respect to security and terrorism conditions. Whilst similar to the DEFCON alert states used in the United States, the BIKINI levels are defined by the section of the military or organisation rather than UK-wide. The highest levels of alert, RED and AMBER, are only intended to be maintained for limited times. White has never been used.

The same definitions apply to the TESSERAL alert states except that they are applied to a specific threat to military aircraft. Since TESSERAL applies to specific threats, the WHITE state is not used.

[edit] Terrorism alerts

From 1 August 2006 the system to assess the threat from international terrorism was revised.

Threat level		Response
Critical	an attack is expected imminently	EXCEPTIONAL	Maximum protective security measures to meet specific threats and to minimise vulnerability and risk
Severe	an attack is highly likely	HEIGHTENED	Additional and sustainable protective security measures reflecting the broad nature the threat combined with specific business and geographical vulnerabilities and judgements on acceptable risk
Substantial	an attack is a strong possibility
Moderate	an attack is possible, but not likely	NORMAL	Routine protective security measures appropriate to the business concerned
Low	an attack is unlikely

In military establishments the threat level is not usually shown and the response level is titled CTRL (Counter-Terrorist Response Level).

[edit] External links

• UK Intelligence Community Online, with reporting of current threat level
• (Redacted) Memorandum by the Ministry of Defence on Defence and Security in the UK (January 2002) discussing BIKINI states
  • Note: Annex D referred to in the above is redacted in its entirety
• A (redacted) Examination of Witnesses in the Select Committee on Defence discussing the costs of changes to BIKINI states
• Threat Levels: The System to Assess the Threat from International Terrorism