UK construction must design security into 2012 buildings

The man responsible for IT systems for the 2012 Games in London has urged UK construction to design security into building.

Speaking at the IT Construction Forum conference yesterday, Rob Price said the main challenges would be security and networks. "There will be 200,000 people there. It's people processes, badges and accreditation that are crucial to making the Olympics work. There will also be 70-90,000 volunteers."

He said his job usually starts four years before the deadline, but in this case it will be five years. "London and the UK is different," he said. "The focus is on construction at the moment. There are more interfaces this time and we need to integrate with government and industry. There's big interaction between the ODA and building."

Infrastructure would be playing an important role, Price said, and that core technology such as cables, was "risk averse". "For Turin, someone recommended wireless networks. At a meeting we then hacked into his computer and showed him pictures of his family from his desktop PC. We'll never just throw in new technology. The outcome is OK to play with, as that's always changing. But the core technology is risk averse."

Price then warned that building the venues had to be completed on time: "You can't not do this on time. The world is watching."

He added that rehearsals were also key to ensuring the events went smoothly. "We'll be testing events in 2010 and 2011. To test the sailing, for example, we'll get boats out during this. That's strange, but that's risk management."

Price is the 2012 account manager for Atos Origin, which has been the IOC's worldwide IT partner since 1992. The company has also worked on Euro 96 and the African Games in Nigeria.