Cyber terrorism law and legal definition uslegal, inc. The following list provides a brief summary of the different categories of people involved and a brief analysis of their training needs. With that distinction in mind, the threat from politically motivated computer crime is real and growing. Akhgar, babak, andrew staniforth, and francesca bosco, editors 2014. Cyber terrorism is a cybercriminal activity in which the internet is utilized to commit deliberate large scale disruption of computer networks. Addressing cyber terrorism threats by zahri bin yunos. The definition of cyber terrorism cannot be made exhaustive as the nature of crime is such that it must be left to be inclusive in nature. Cyber terrorism learn more about it the hacker news. Cyber attacks include threats like computer viruses, data breaches, and denial of service dos attacks.
Cyberterrorism definition of cyberterrorism by merriam. Cybercrime is a judicial matter governed by domestic laws, guided in some cases by international tools, such as the united nations convention against transnational organized crime, the g7 247. Federal bureau of investigation, cyberterrorism is any premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer. Today, irans defense minister said, the united states is the source of cyber terrorism. Some cyberterrorists spread computer viruses, and others threaten people electronically. Scada systems, once connected only to isolated networks using only proprietary computer software, now operate using more vulnerable commercialofftheshelf cots software, and are increasingly being linked directly into corporate office networks via the internet. Protecting bank networks from acts of computer terrorism 104111.
The aim of this paper is to identify common features in. Our analysis of each definition is found in figure 1. Cybercrime and cyberterrorism online degree programs. By definition cyber terrorism means to damage information, computer systems and data that result in harm against noncombatant targets. Cyber terrorism definition of cyber terrorism by the. A widely accepted definition of cyber terrorism is provided by professor dorothy e. Federal bureau of investigation as a premeditated attack against a computer system, computer data, programs and other information with the sole aim of violence against clandestine agents and subnational groups. The fbi, another united states agency, defines cyber terrorism as premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which results in violence against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Cyber security countermeasures to combat cyber terrorism. Denning, who defines it as an unlawful attack against computer networks, to cause violence against persons or property, and as a result, to coerce a. It is vital to take the terrorism component of cyberterrorism critically. The cyberterrorism definition proposed here is broad enough to give researchers a wider lens to study the cyber capabilities of terrorists across the full spectrum of cyberspace. This definition is necessarily narrow to differentiate cyber terrorism from other kinds of computer abuse such as computer crime, economic espionage or information warfare. Cyber terrorism is considered a toptier national risk for many governments given the potential harm and disruption it can cause due to the worlds increasing dependency on it systems.
Moreover, to fall under the category of cyberterrorism, such actions should be significant. Cyber terrorism law and legal definition cyber terrorism is the premeditated use of disruptive activities, or the threat thereof, against computers andor networks, with the intention to cause harm or further social, ideological, religious, political or similar objectives, or to intimidate any person in furtherance of such objectives. Cyberterrorism definition is terrorist activities intended to damage or disrupt vital computer systems. Lieutenant colonel jonalan brickey is an information systems officer and the army cyber command fellow at the combating terrorism center, west point. They just need a personal computer and an online connection to create all kind of these chaoses. The boundaries between acts of cyber terrorism, cyber crime and hacktivism are often interlinked. Cyber terrorism is a component of information warfare, but information warfare is not. Indeed, the fbi defines cyber terrorism as any premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems or computer programs, and data which results in violence against. Cyber crime and cyber terrorism investigators handbook. Whether delivered over the internet or purposefully installed during the manufacturing process, contaminated. A cyber or cybersecurity threat is a malicious act that seeks to damage data, steal data, or disrupt digital life in general. Cyber terrorism therefore affects everyone from large organizations to all citizens who own or use a computer connected to the internet. The main aim behind cyberterrorism is to cause harm and destruction. Cyber sabotage is yet another new wrinkle in the emerging threats from cyber space.
It refers to the unlawful attacks and threats of attacks against computers, networks and the information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce a government or its people in. Information and translations of cyberterrorism in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. A categorization of types of cyber terrorism developed by the naval postgraduate school can be done dependent on the underlying structure of the intended attacks. Many pentagon officials reportedly believe that future adversaries may resort to strategies intended to offset u. Addressing evolving threats to the homeland statement for the record good morning, chairman carper and.
Cyber terrorism synonyms, cyber terrorism pronunciation, cyber terrorism translation, english dictionary definition of cyber terrorism. Cybercrime definition cyber terrorism includes the attacking of our cyber infrastructure, virtual information including hardware, software, data and information. Cyber terrorism can be defined as any computer crime which targets a computer network, property or lives. Society faces a number of threats without our cyberspace, particularly to industrial control. Posse comitatus is an 1880sera law that prohibits the federal military from functioning in the territory of the united states. Cyberwarfare is the use of technology to attack a nation, causing comparable harm to actual warfare. Cyber terrorism means premediated, politically motivated attacks by sub national groups or clandestine agents or individuals against information and computer systems, computer programs, and data that results in violence against noncombatant targets.
Cyber terrorism is a premeditated political, religious or philosophically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs and data, which results in violence against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Nti brought together highlevel former senior military and government officials, policy experts, and cybersecurity experts to form a cybernuclear weapons study group. Cyber threats have existed since 1975 when steve jobs and steve wozniak invented the first personal computer, the apple i. Both are politically motivated computer crimes, but the impacts from each are completely different and, likewise, our response to each should be appropriate. Information assurance education in the united states 121124. The fbi is the lead federal agency for investigating cyber attacks by criminals, overseas adversaries, and terrorists. Cyber terrorism, also known as electronic terrorism or information wars, can be defined as any act of internet terrorism which includes deliberate and largescale attacks and disruptions of computer networks using computer viruses, or physical attacks using malware, to attack individuals, governments and organizations. For this reason, it is necessary to define these topics as separate entities. The skills, tools, and techniques are the same, but information warfare is conducted between military combatants.
Cyberterrorism is a unique form of terrorism that uses internet technologies to attack computer systems there are very controversial opinions about cyberterrorism from the permanent threat, where horror scenarios with thousands of deaths incorrectly controlled lock gates. Cyberextortion is a crime involving an attack or threat of attack coupled with a demand for money to avert or stop the attack. Cyber terrorism acts us tactics to cause fear and panic in the targets of victims. Hmls cyber crime and cyberterrorism readings and links. Cyber terrorism publish your masters thesis, bachelors. After binning each part of the definitions into these categories, we found that there is no consensus definition for cyber terrorism. Computer security training for professional specialists and other personnel associated with preventing and responding to computer attacks 112120. There is significant debate among experts regarding the definition of cyberwarfare, and even if such a thing exists. Cyber terrorism is the convergence of cyberspace and terrorism.
A factor that might explain the diversity of opinions could be the lack of a singular, agreed upon definition for terrorism on the international stage. While the obvious targets might be governments, banks, and utilities e. Cyber terrorism includes the attacking of our cyber infrastructure, virtual information including hardware, software, data and information. With the advent of personal computers came problems with hackers, people. According to nato, cyberterrorism is defined as a computerbased attack meant to coerce government or societies in pursuit of goals that are political, religious, or ideological.
The fbi defines cyber terrorism as a premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs and data which results in violence against noncombatant. The group examined the implications of cyber threats to nuclear weapons and related systems and has developed a set of options for our nuclear policies, postures, and doctrines. Terrorism can occur over the public internet, over private computer servers, or even through secured government networks. A cyberterrorist is a criminal who uses computer technology and the internet, especially to cause fear and disruption. Methods of attacks include physical or convention attack, primary aim is on an entire infrastructure. Cyberterrorist definition of cyberterrorist by the. Cyber terrorism is the premeditated use of disruptive activities, or the threat thereof, against computers andor networks, with the intention to cause harm or further social, ideological, religious, political or similar objectives, or to intimidate any person in. Cyberterrorism meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Thus, the context and targets, not the technological tools or frequency of attacks. Also, the end result in cyber terrorism is more serious and damaging than in hacktivism and cyber crime.
However, to truly understand this concept, lets go a bit further into the background of cybersecurity. For instance, hacking of a computer system and then deleting the useful and valuable business information of the rival competitor is a part and parcel of cyber terrorism. Cyber terrorism an appealing choice there are quite a few reasons for cyber terrorism becoming an appealing and attractive option for the terrorists. One view is that the term cyberwarfare is a misnomer, since no offensive cyber actions to date could be described as war.