LA Airport Uses Random Numbers To Catch Terrorists

An anonymous reader writes "Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is using randomization software to determine the location and timing of security checkpoints and patrols. The theory is that random security will make it impossible for terrorists to predict the actions of security forces. The ARMOR software, written by computer scientists at the University of Southern California, was initially developed to solve a problem in game theory. Doctoral student Praveen Paruchuri wrote algorithms on how an agent should react to an opponent who has perfect information about the agent's choices."

Security Through Obscurity!

[he1icine]

Sorry it had to be said.

Behind the scenes in Homeland Security...

[StandardCell]

[Tour of Accounting] Accounting Troll: "Over here we have our random number generator" Number Generator Troll: "Nine Nine Nine Nine Nine Nine" Dilbert: "Are you sure that's random?" Accounting Troll: "That's the problem with randomness: you can never be sure"

Doesn't Microsoft hold patents on that?

[jkrise]

They've been using that technique to identify and fix bugs in Windows... even incorporated that into Excel 2007 multiplication recently.

wily terrorists

[sentientbeing]

wily terrorists can easily defeat this lame attempt at security.
 
All they have to do is predict these random numbers ahead of time... Using a dice.

Discovery Institute is mad.

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

They are going to create a huge grassroots information and education campaign against this. They believe the security should intelligently designed and should not depend on random chance of security people and the bad guys coming together.

What happens if...

[XxtraLarGe]

The terrorists start using a random number generator too?!?

Re:Behind the scenes in Homeland Security...

[smallfries]

On a similar vein:

int numCheckpointsToday()
{
          return 0; // This is a random number chosen by a fair method
}

(With apologies to xkcd).

Re:Doesn't Microsoft hold patents on that?

[JackMeyhoff]

Somebody ban him for actually reading an article

Why, I think you are wrong!

[rolfwind]

Only GOVERNMENT run security gives me free colonoscopies while I fly. Not only do I save a trip to the doctor, I ensure I stay in good health.

Re:Security Through Obscurity!

[Anonymous Coward]

So, to be exact, the security staff is going to play DnD?

Staff sergeant: "Ok, Ralph" *rolls dice* "you are going to move 4 feet to the left."

Why not?

[mmell]

They apparently already use a random number generator to determine when flights will leave.

Re:wily terrorists

[Nibbler999]

Let's hope they roll 3 doubles.

Re:Behind the scenes in Homeland Security...

[Anonymous Coward]

Or more likely, the random parrengers picked up: Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab, Arab! Random! I Swear!

Where's the news?

[Opportunist]

They've been using randomization at identifying terrorists for a while now.

Re:Security Through Obscurity!

[Anonymous Coward]

I know!!!

You number the place by sectors, then get a piece of cardboard and draw squares on it. Then you get another piece of cardboard with times on it!!! Then you get the captain blindfolded with some darts!!! If he gets a little too predictable...then we get him drunk!!!

Open source, Random, Algorithmically sound, AND absolutely intoxicating!

Re:Randomizing responses to break a protocol...

[Cowclops]

Or when you're in court, you could start talking about Chewbacca and how he was born on Kashyyyk but lives on Endor.

Re:Security Through Obscurity!

[bhebing]

If they use your comma placement as a random seed, the system will be absolutely secure.

Re:Just send more operatives

[vuffi_raa]

new reality show?

Re:Behind the scenes in Homeland Security...

[Anonymous Coward]

oh but it IS random. They choose random Arab people, see?

Re:Behind the scenes in Homeland Security...

[laejoh]

int numCheckpointsToday()
{
return 11; // This is a random number chosen by a fair method
}

Mine goes up to eleven!