Electronic government: Government capability and terrorist resource

Abstract

Abstract The federal government's war on terrorism has heightened understanding and appreciation of the many facets of electronic government. Electronic government is used as a resource in the war on terrorism, helping to prevent and prepare for attacks. It might also prove useful in recovering from attacks. Unfortunately, e-government itself is a likely target for terrorists. Cyber intrusions into government Web sites and damage to, or destruction of, infrastructure, whether a computer system or an electrical grid that supplies power, could impair e-government. E-government is also attractive as a potential target for the information it provides, information that enemies of the United States could use in identifying weaknesses and planning attacks. While the Bush Administration has developed a comprehensive policy, based on a market model, for facilitating the use and effectiveness of e-government, its approach to e-government security, particularly in the area of Web content, has been ad hoc. Soon after the September 11, 2001, attacks, federal agencies began scrubbing their Web sites, an effort that has implications for the notion, and practice, of having a well-informed citizenry.