What is cyberterrorism?

Cyberterrorism is the convergence of cyberspace and terrorist activity; for example, politically motivated hacking operations intended to cause grave harm such as loss of life or severe economic damage. Concerns that terrorist groups or individuals may penetrate a nation’s electronic energy, transportation, financial or security grid or system and cause catastrophic damage (nuclear reactor or dam failure, multiple mid-air collisions or downed airliners, disrupting national economies through stock market interference, etc.) are all related to the phenomenon known as cyberterrorism (Nordeste & Carment, 2006).

References

Nordeste, B. & D. Carment (2006), “A framework for understanding terrorist use of the internet”, Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies 2006-2, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton Univ., http://www4.carleton.ca/cifp/app/serve.php/1121.pdf.