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 previously 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. For the 1989 computer game, see Nuclear War (computer game). ... Transition To War (TTW) is a NATO military term[1] referring to a period of international tension during which government and society move to an open (but not necessarily declared) war footing. ... An alert state is an indication of the state of readiness of the armed forces for military action or a State against terrorism. ... The United Kingdom is a unitary state and a democratic constitutional monarchy. ... The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the British Armed Forces. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... Her Majestys Prison Service is the British Executive Agency reporting to the Home Office tasked with managing many of the prisons within the United Kingdom. ...
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 defense readiness condition (DEFCON) is a measure of the activation and readiness level of the United States armed forces. ...
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.
Terrorism alerts
From 1 August2006 the system to assess the threat from international terrorism was revised. August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
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).
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
Bikini Atoll is one of the 29 atolls and five islands that compose the Marshall Islands.
The Bikini islanders' life of harmony drew to an abrupt close when the Japanese built and maintained a watchtower on their island to guard against an American invasion of the Marshalls.
States, or on the moving of the Bikinian people from Bikini Atoll to Kili Island, would have to be made against the Bikinian leaders and not against the U.S government.
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