State Cyberterrorism: A Contradiction in Terms?

(2015) 6(3) Journal of Terrorism Research 62-75

14 Pages Posted: 2 Oct 2015

See all articles by Lee Jarvis

Lee Jarvis

University of East Anglia (UEA) - School of Political, Social and International Studies

Stuart K. MacDonald

Swansea University

Lella Nouri

University of Wales, Swansea - Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology

Date Written: June 3, 2015

Abstract

This article explores findings from a global survey of the terrorism research community to explore whether states may be deemed capable of conducting cyberterrorism. The article begins with a brief review of recent literature on state terrorism, identifying empirical and analytical justifications for greater engagement with this concept. Following a discussion of our research methodology we then make two arguments. First, that there exists considerable ‘expert’ support for the validity of the proposition that states can indeed engage in cyberterrorism. Second, that whether states are deemed capable of cyberterrorism has implications for subsidiary debates, including around the threat that cyberterrorism poses.

Keywords: State terrorism; Cyberterrorism; Terrorism; Internet; Threat; Security; Survey

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

Jarvis, Lee and MacDonald, Stuart K. and Nouri, Lella, State Cyberterrorism: A Contradiction in Terms? (June 3, 2015). (2015) 6(3) Journal of Terrorism Research 62-75, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2667598

Lee Jarvis

University of East Anglia (UEA) - School of Political, Social and International Studies ( email )

Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom

Stuart K. MacDonald (Contact Author)

Swansea University ( email )

College of Law
Singleton Park
Swansea, SA2 8PP
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/academic/law/macdonalds/

Lella Nouri

University of Wales, Swansea - Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology

Singleton Park
Swansea SA2 8PP
United Kingdom

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