Chapter 2

Definitions of Cyber Terrorism

Eric Luiijf

Abstract

The term cyber terror appeared for the first time in the mid-eighties. Since then the notion has been misused a number of times by journalists and politicians. It does not help that cyber terror does not have a clear, agreed definition. This chapter first analyses the background of the confusion. Secondly, the chapter provides a definition of cyber terrorism which aligns with national definitions of terrorism. From this, it becomes clear that no act of cyber terror has yet occurred. We need to be prepared however as the increasing societal critical reliance on ICT will make ICT systems and services as well as embedded ICT an interesting target for future terrorists.

Keywords

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