Cyberterrorism: The Silent Threat
Abstract
During the past few years, technology-dependent California has experienced numerous power outages, commonly referred to as "rolling blackouts." These rolling blackouts have disabled millions of information technology (IT) users and technology-dependent organizations. A rolling blackout by itself is nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but imagine the one-two punch of a rolling blackout and an attack on U.S. infrastructure. Picture an attack orchestrated by cyberterrorists on U.S. infrastructure in conjunction with an attack on an Air Traffic Control Center or perhaps a Nuclear Plant. If a rolling blackout can disrupt the world's third largest economy, imagine what advanced technology in the hands of terrorists could accomplish. Cyberterrorism is not science fiction. It is a real and growing threat. As American infrastructures, including military, become more technocentric, a cyberterrorist attack is imminent. In the Marine Corps, Marines are taught to fight in tactical environments by employing a combined arms doctrine (air, land, and sea power). Many of the tools that enable Marines to be so effective in the battlefield are based on advanced technology. Unfortunately, the availability and use of advanced technology are no longer limited to the most powerful nations or militaries in the world. This paper examines how terrorist groups are embracing technology to carry out their missions, and illustrates the impact that hacker and terrorist attacks (i.e., monetary, informational) can have on the U.S. network infrastructure. The paper also discusses the countermeasures being used by civilian and government agencies to help mitigate these threats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA517504
Entities
People
- J. M. Navarro
Organizations
- Marine Corps University