Security News This Week: Taylor Swift Concert Terror Plot Was Thwarted by Key CIA Tip

The CIA provided crucial intelligence to Austrian law enforcement to thwart a planned terrorist attack targeting Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria. Due to the threat, three concerts scheduled to take place at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium were canceled earlier this month. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen, speaking at the Insa intelligence conference on Wednesday, said, "It was a very good day not just for the Swifties, but also for our agency at Langley."

The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin, reportedly made a full confession to the police. In connection with the plot, two more individuals aged 18 and 17 were arrested, and a 15-year-old was reportedly interrogated. The attack, inspired by ISIS, allegedly included plans to target fans outside the venue with knives or explosives. Earlier this month, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said foreign intelligence agencies were involved in the investigation since Austrian law prohibits text message surveillance.

“The group was plotting to kill tens of thousands of people at this concert, likely including many Americans, and they were quite far along in their plans,” said CIA's Cohen at the conference. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because our agency and our intelligence community partners provided them with information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do.”