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Worldwide situations can change dramatically in six years but there are no current indications that the terrorism threat is likely to lessen. Given the fact that the Games have been targeted in the past – Atlanta in 1996 and Munich in 1972 – and in the wake of the London bombings, security has to be examined more thoroughly than ever before.

The challenges are as huge as the area that needs to be secured – the stadia, the infrastructure, the transport systems, accommodation for competitors and visitors and the security vetting of thousands of volunteers. Chairman of the organising committee Lord Coe has said security "underpins everything we do".

Lessons have been learned from security operations in Athens in 2004 where security providers rose to the immense challenges and proved that technology integrated with guarding services can deliver a secure Games. And all UK security eyes will be closely focused on the Games in Beijing in 2008.

The legacy of Athens is a massive integrated electronic security network where little existed before. In contrast to pre-2004 Athens, however, London already has a mature surveillance infrastructure.

Having been a target of the IRA for decades it had a head start on most other cities and is now estimated to have 500,000 cameras, more per head of population than any other city in the world. By 2012 many existing systems would be due for upgrading anyway and, with the eyes of the world on the capital, cost is not likely to be the biggest issue.

In its procurement document the Olympic Delivery Authority says that in all its procurement it "will include, wherever appropriate, lessons that have been learnt from earlier Olympic Games"

Before London won the bid, Met Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair announced that the cost of the massive security deployment plan would be £224m with the cost of securing venues alone at £24m. He said all other security would be funded by £200m contained within the overall £2.3bn overall funding package. However, these figures were announced before the London bombings. Olympics minister Tessa Jowell speaking after 7/7 said costs could go up in the wake of the bombing, but the Games would be policed and security operated at a level which was consistent with the level of risk at the time.

'Feelgood factor' for the UK

Lord Coe says London has the "skill, vibrancy and history to stage a great Games" and over the 16 days of the event 11,000 athletes will compete in 300 events. They will bring a "feelgood factor" to the UK, will bring economic growth for the regeneration areas, an increase in tourism before and after the Games and the creation of thousands of jobs.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games is responsible for the preparation and staging. Led by Lord Coe, chair, its vision is to stage Games "that capture the imagination of young people around the world and leave a lasting legacy".

Delivering the Games will be a massive undertaking requiring goods and services from an enormous range of firms. The organisation is "relatively small" at the moment but by the time of the opening ceremony around 100,000 people will be working on the Games including 3,000 staff, 70,000 volunteers and many contractors.

East London transformation

The 500 acres around Stratford in the east of London, classed as one of the most deprived areas in the UK, will be transformed into the futuristic Olympic Park, six miles from the centre of the city. It will include an 80,000-seat stadium, athletes' village and other sports venues (see page 37).

The Olympic Park will "contribute to the regeneration of an entire community for the direct benefit of everyone who lives there" says the Olympic Movement, the umbrella group which includes the International and the International Olympic Committees. It will “become a hub for east London, bringing communities together and acting as a catalysts for profound social and economic change … opening up opportunities for education, cultural and skills development and jobs"

Technology changes

To what extent will the private electronic sector be involved? With their previous involvement in the Games, major companies like Siemens, Tyco and Panasonic have already proven their abilities to look at the big picture (see pages 49 and 53). But there will also be opportunities for small to medium companies.

The specifics of the security systems and their integration with the guarding forces will be decided in time, but a big factor is technological change. In the electronic sector, systems are now being routinely installed that were only theoretical six years ago. With the relentless quickening of technology development, electronic security and surveillance systems are likely to be very different in 2012. The fast developing biometrics sector is certain to be commonplace in access control by then and it's anyone guess as to how far "intelligent video" software will have developed.

The only certainty is that the security systems will have to be among the most advanced in the world at that time and, like the sporting facilities, will be required to be used for years after the events.

An indication of the breadth of thinking required for these immense security tasks is given by the Athens systems and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. The risk assessment will have to consider any disorder or disruption of events, from potential terrorism to crowd disruption. As in Athens, it will take in the transport infrastructure, roads, overail and Underground, the River Thames, the city itself, the stadia, Olympic Park and accommodation.

Although the area to be considered is vast, 50 per cent of the competitors will live only minutes from their venues and will never have to leave the security of the Olympic Park and another 30 per cent will be only 20 minutes from their venues, says the Olympic Movement.

How can I get involved?

So how can security companies – large and small – become involved with the Games?

Contracts for London 2012 will be awarded by both the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

• The ODA will let the majority of contracts for the infrastructure, transport and construction of the Olympic Park. (Although the ODA will remain the contracting authority, the recently appointed delivery partner, CLM, will undertake the majority of procurements associated with the programme).

• The LOCOG will let most services to stage the event itself and its procurement is likely to cover goods and services such as event security, sports equipment, catering and uniforms etc

There have been calls across the UK for small to medium businesses to become involved and business clubs have been encouraging regional businesses to stay aware of the opportunities which, for SMEs, are likely to come from the supply chains that will surround major contracts.

The first step for security companies who want to become involved would be to register on two essential websites.

Tender opportunities for both the ODA and LOCOG will be announced on the official website www.london2012.com/business. Businesses are strongly advised to register on this site to receive e-mail alerts about tender opportunities and developments.

What if I'm a security SME?

The ODA Procurement Policy in its consultation document sets out the framework which will guide procurement.

The ODA will consult with professional trade associations and federations on the major design, construction, supply and commissioning contracts. Contract opportunities will be advertised both on the website and in trade and minority press. It will also use a new government backed service designed specifically to give companies easy access to "low-value" contract opportunities – typically worth under £1000, 000.

Security SMEs should register on www.supply2.gov.uk. This portal will announce news of low value contracts and bring “buyers and suppliers together for the first time”. It also offers companies guidance on how to go about public sector procurement.

The selection process for companies will include a robust financial appraisal to determine their economic standing and financial regularity.

But there is encouragement for smaller security companies … The ODA says small to medium sized companies will not be at a disadvantage – the minimum economic standing will depend upon the scale of the contract and the risk involved. The ODA will also work with the GLA, Government and groups such as regional business clubs to make sure information about forthcoming contracts and sub contracts is available through a single portal and will encourage its main contractors to use the same approach to procure sub-contractors.

It will encourage competition by actively promoting tendering opportunities – even down to the local level.

It says: "Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, and Minority Owned Businesses owned by minorities and women (eg BME - Black and Minority Ethnic - groups, disabled people) are particularly important in developing the Olympic Promise, locally regionally and nationally. The ODA will ensure it does not exclude such small companies from accessing ODA contracts …"

What if i'm not in London?

Regional development agencies in the UK have been setting up Business Clubs so that regional companies could gain access to the opportunities presented by the Games.

The idea was borrowed after it worked successfully at Sydney 2000 and the Manchester Commonwealth Games. The clubs are offering advice on subjects such as which contracts businesses could consider bidding for, how to go about bidding, the worth and extent of Olympics work and what effect the work could have on your business.

At one recent meeting attended by 300 regional business delegates in West Midlands Tessa Jowell said there was "tremendous opportunities for all parts of the country to benefit … We are working hard to spread the economic dividend", and Chair of the ODA, Jack Lemley said "The vast majority of opportunities are to come but you do need to make sure your company is fully prepared to take advantage of them in years to come."

The clear message is that for security companies there will be huge competition for the work, especially considering the kudos to be gained from such a high profile event. But the encouraging news for smaller companies is that the procurement process will not exclude them from getting involved in what could prove to be security's biggest challenge.