Cyber Terrorism: A Threat to the United States

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Scope

This original product provides perspective and understanding of the nature and capacity of an emerging threat against the United States. This assists federal, state, local and tribal government agencies and authorities, and other entities develop priorities for protective measures and understanding relating to an existing or emerging threat to the national security of the United States.

Key Terms:

- Cyber Terrorism: “Any premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which results in the violence against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine groups.”

A cyber terrorism attack is designed to inflict physical violence or financial destruction. Possible cyber terrorist targets include banking facilities, military bases, power plants, air traffic control centers and water systems.

- Cyber Attack: “An assault against a computer system or network.”

A cyber attack has the potential to create extreme economic damage that is out of proportion to the low cost of initiating the attack. A successful cyber attack targets vulnerable computers, forcing them to malfunction or become disabled, whereby businesses, financial institutions, medical institutions and government agencies are not able to use them.

Key Question(s)

* Could cyber terrorism be the next threat to the national security of the United States?

- What is the background of cyber terrorism? What can the past tell about cyber terrorism and its threat to the United States?

- What effect can cyber terrorism have on the United States?

- What is the likelihood of a cyber terrorism attack? Are critical infrastructures vulnerable to an attack and are te...

... middle of paper ...

...tent. 21 January 2010.

Cyber Terrorism. Directions Media. October 2003. http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=432

Cyber Terrorism: The Past, the Present, and the Future. Associated Content. 21 January 2010.

Cyberterrorism. Georgetown University, Dorothy E. Denning. 23 May 2000.

Cyberterrorism: How real is the threat?. United States Institute of Peace. December 2004.

Leftwing Extremists Likely to Increase Cyber Attacks Over Coming Decade. DHS Assessment. 26 Jaunuary 2009.

Cyber Terrorism Attacks. IGI Global. 20 January 2010. www.intelink.gov.

In a doomsday cyber attack scenario, answers are unsettling. Los Angeles Times. 17 February 2010

In a doomsday cyber attack scenario, answers are unsettling. Los Angeles Times. 17 February 2010

Officials Warn al-Qaeda ‘Certain’ to Try Attack Soon. U.S. News. 03 February 2010.

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