Evolution of Cyberterrorism: Challenges and Solutions

Cyberterrorism is an important international relations issue as it poses formidable challenges to international security due to its unanimity and easier reach to broad masses. Fighting cyberterrorism necessitates understanding what kinds of actors resort to it, what motivates them, what are their intentions and targets, what kind of means they employ, and what kind of effects their actions cause. This study addresses the actors, targets, motives, intentions, means, and effects of cyberterrorism and how they have evolved to contribute to providing effective counter-measures and safeguards. To this end, after the introduction, the study first provides a conceptual framework to assess the evolution of cyberterrorism by focusing on its key attributes. Second, it explores the evolution of actors in cyberterrorism. Third, the study focuses on the evolution of motives and intentions in cyberterrorism. Fourth, it examines the evolution of targets, means, and effects in cyberterrorism. The conclusion highlights the transnational nature of cyberterrorism and calls for reciprocating to it in kind.