From Cyber Security to Cyber-terrorism: A New Emerging threat for Europe and the challenges for EU

Abstract

Cyber technology is widely used to share information with audience around the world, as it is relatively cheaper and easy to access. Cyber Security issues range from hacking to Cyber Terrorism. The threat of terrorism within the cyber space is increasing as today humans’ interaction with cyber technology is more than ever in human history. Similarly, the terrorist organisations have moved towards technological orientation to fulfil their agendas not only by causing physical damage but also by destructing and manipulating sensitive data that may harm the economy and security of a state. Cyber technology is used by terrorists to communicate, propagate, radicalize, recruit or influence the people mainly because it is multifunctional and can be used as a modern tool for warfare. The intention and motivation of the individuals or groups behind these acts differentiate between hacktivism, cyber-attacks and cyber-terrorism. The potential threats of cyber terrorism to European Union for example within the industrial sector the possible threat from cyber terrorists in Industrial Control System (ICS) and the failure of these technologically advanced states to provide reliable security system, pose a threat to their socio-political, economic and military sectors. This paper discusses the aims and objectives of terrorists behind these attacks. How far have they been successful in causing a serious harm to the security of these states? What strategies by far have been adopted by European Union to counter this threat? To what extent these strategies have been effective in offsetting the threat of cyber terrorism? The loopholes in cyber security system allow the terrorists to reach the confidential data of public and private organisations. So, efficient measures and strict action against the criminals in general and terrorists in particular along with the cooperation between government organisations and private software companies can strengthen the networks against cyber-terrorism