Cyber-Terrorism: An Appraisal of the Dimensions of the New Face of Terrorism in a Post-9/11 Period

Abstract

There is no gainsaying that the threats posed by terrorists have not abated since the declaration of a Global War on terrorism following the September 11 attacks. Instead, terrorism has gradually metamorphosed into something more sophisticated that can cause even more significant destruction on a massive scale. Over the last 20 years, terrorist attacks have assumed a new and worrisome dimension with States and major international corporations being victims of cyber-terrorism and online attacks. This new face of terrorism is gradually replacing the traditional hostage-taking, suicide bombings, and kidnappings etc that followed the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). This paper, therefore, critiques the GWOT particularly the threats posed by cyber-terrorism in the post-9/11 period. Whilst detailing some of the recent cyber-terrorism attacks and other preparatory acts committed by terrorist organizations, this paper appraises the effectiveness and coherence of the mechanisms put in place by the West and its allies in addressing cyberterrorism under its so-called GWOT. This systematic appraisal of the GWOT will contribute immensely to the field of social sciences, by providing objective answers to controversial and much-disputed questions arising from the war. Further studies on the implication(s) of the disagreement between world ‘super-powers’ on a global strategy for cyberterrorism is needed.