State Cyberterrorism: A Contradiction in Terms?
(2015) 6(3) Journal of Terrorism Research 62-75
14 Pages Posted: 2 Oct 2015
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: Suggested Citation