ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the debate around the terms cyber threats and cyber terrorism. The cyber threat to Britain has intensified since recent cyber attacks from the Stuxnet virus through to attacks from groups of hackers who have all aimed to disrupt computer systems, and target high profile institutions, namely Sony, the US Senate and various law-enforcement agencies. Most of these cyber threats relate to criminal gangs, terrorists, hackers and hostile governments that are willing to cause cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and attack Internet systems. Cyber terrorism is the convergence of terrorism and cyberspace. It is generally understood to mean unlawful attacks and threats of attack against computers, networks, and the information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce a government or its people in furtherance of political or social objectives. Denning argues that if terrorists have the capacity, training and technological skills then they could cause a cyber terror attack.
