Cyberterrorism: Myth or reality?
Published: 10 Dec 2007 12:56 GMT
Following recent accusations of government-sanctioned digitial espionage and alleged hacking attacks from China and Russia, there seems to be evidence that countries are capable of using electronic means to disrupt the computer systems of rival nations.
However, while it appears that government-backed organisations may be using hacking tactics to disrupt the systems of enemy states, there is still disagreement among security experts as to whether cyberterrorism is a real threat.
An act of terrorism is often defined as an incident that leads to loss of life or at least harm to life — and security experts claim that thus far an attack against a computer system hasn't achieved this. This may be due to the simple fact that a homemade bomb is always going to be more effective than an electronic attack, according to some security watchers. But others claim it's only a matter of time before a terrorist group manages to bring down a power station or air-traffic control system.
BP: Cyberterrorism threat is increasing
Attacks on the critical national infrastructure are becoming increasingly likely, claims BP's manager of digital security services [21 Jun 2007]
Congress critical of Homeland Security's tech efforts
Politicians urge the department to appoint a cybersecurity tsar, claiming the agency is poorly prepared and lacks co-ordination [14 Sep 2006]
Hollywood ensures cyberterror myth will Die Hard
Next summer will see another blockbuster based on the idea of terrorists using IT for malicious ends, but it's not just Hollywood that's guilty of hyping the threat [03 Aug 2006]
Weathering the Cyber Storm
With electronic infrastructure being such an important part of our daily lives, can we afford not to defend it? [21 Feb 2006]
FBI cool on cyberterror
Terrrorist groups don't have the power to launch a serious online attack, says a senior FBI official [08 Dec 2005]
MP calls for cybersecurity Tsar
Mark Pritchard MP says the UK needs a national cybercrime agency to combat criminals and terrorists who might attack critical parts of the UK infrastructure [28 Nov 2005]
Schneier: Worry about cybercriminals, not terrorists
Security expert Bruce Schneier believes we are failing to tackle the threat of electronic crime because there is an unnecessary focus on cyberterrorism [23 Nov 2005]
Foreign powers are 'main cyberthreat' to UK
Overseas governments probing electronic networks for information are the main threats to the UK critical national infrastructure, claims the organisation defending it [22 Nov 2005]
Don't cry wolf over cyberterror
Despite all the the talk of cyberterrorism, we've still to see a single conviction under terrorism legislation [27 Apr 2005]
Schneier slates misuse of 'cyberterrorism'
We should save 'terror' for the things that deserve it, not things that piss us off, says the security guru [26 Apr 2005]
Clarke joins latest cyberterror debate
Proposals for a World Security Organisation to tackle cyberterrorism continue to alarm experts, including former White House cybersecurity chief Richard Clarke [11 Feb 2005]
Cyberterror threats dismissed
Experts have been queuing up to dismiss the latest calls for a crackdown on cyberterror, dismissing the term as marketing speak, hyperbole, or in one case simply 'barmy' [10 Feb 2005]
Straight talking on terrorism
Counter-terrorism advisor to four US presidents Richard Clarke talks to ZDNet UK about cybersecurity, and its importance [12 Nov 2004]
Cyberterrorism is not a universal excuse
Cyberterrorism is being used as a reason for unfettered government action. Evidence, please [12 Nov 2004]
Cyberterrorism is a misleading term, says expert
RSA Conference: Richard Clarke, who has advised three US presidents on security, says talk of 'cyberterrorism' is misleading [05 Nov 2004]
Cyberterrorism a reality 'in two years'
SC Conference: The Royal Mail's director of information security warns that cyberterrorism will become a reality in the next two years [21 Oct 2004]
Cyberterrorism makes good copy but less sense
Scare stories might be good for business but who really benefits? [26 Aug 2004]
- Governments prepare for 'cyber cold war'
- MI5 warns of Chinese digital espionage
- Burglars plunder Verizon's London data centre
- Cyberterrorism: Myth or reality?
- Explaining the Estonian cyberattacks
- The worst IT security incidents of 2007
- Cracking open the cybercrime economy
- Countering corporate espionage
- Anatomy of a hack attack
- Storm worm anniversary brings fresh variants
- CIA: Cyberattack caused multi-city blackout
- Schneier: Cyber-extortion on the rise
Did you find this article useful?
5 out of 5 people found this useful
- Share this article:
Full Talkback thread
2 comments
