The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be a target for terrorists and spectators should expect the highest levels of security, Games chairman Peter Beattie says.
However the former Queensland premier maintains the 12-day event will be as safe as humanly possible due to a raft of security measures to be put in place.
"Of course we are a target," Mr Beattie said at a Gold Coast business breakfast.
"We live in a pretty ugly world."
The event's head of security, Danny Bade, is in Europe meeting with police from London, Glasgow and Paris about how to keep the event safe.
"They will look at the latest techniques to deal with terrorism and those sorts of issues," Mr Beattie said on Tuesday.
He said organisers were taking an "armageddon approach" to confront issues which could affect the Games.
One example is expected to see fans banned from taking big bags into venues, while stations providing necessities such as water and sunscreen are being considered.
"You'll be having the same sort of security checks you go through to get on an aeroplane," Mr Beattie said.
"As unpleasant as it is you have to.
"We do need to educate and say to people: 'Don't bring a big bag, that's a no-no'."
He admitted the challenge of security kept him awake at 4am, however he was confident there would be no such issues at the 2018 event due to federal and international collaboration.
"I just need to reassure people these Games will be the safest Games humanly possible," he said.
The organising committee is yet to confirm their total security measures, but Mr Beattie has admitted organisers would need to be on guard for continual changes before the Opening Ceremony at Carrara on April 4.
