Abstract
Ph.D. (Computer Science)
The rise of technology has brought with it many benefits but also the potential for great dangers. In
particular, Information Communication Technology (ICT) is involved in many facets of life-influencing
systems, which range from power plants to airports. Terrorists are now realising the great possibilities of
interfering with critical infrastructure. Remote access, reduced costs, automation, replication, speed, direct
effect, varied targets and anonymity are all benefits that make attacking computers and networks in
cyberspace an attractive solution. ICT could thus serve as a powerful instrument to advance political and
ideological viewpoints.
The ICT landscape now faces an emerging threat in the form of cyberterrorists. However, it is important not
to incorrectly perceive ordinary cyber attacks as cyberterrorism. Cyberterrorism is different from cybercrime
in that is has differing motives, attack goals, techniques and intended effects. The motivation for
cyberterrorism largely stems from political and ideological views (religious, social activism, retributional).
Cyber attacks are mainly driven by financial theft, fraud or espionage, whereas cyberterrorism aims to create
publicity for a cause and leave a high impact.
In this study, a Cyberterrorism Life Cycle (CLC) Model is developed in order to demonstrate the various
factors that lead to the establishment and growth of cyberterrorism. The model depicts the various strategic
and technical issues that are relevant to the field. Overall, this model aims to structure the dynamic
interaction of the behavioural and technological factors that influence the development of cyberterrorism.
Throughout the research, various factors that are influential to cyberterrorism are investigated. The research
follows a systematic approach of revealing various underlying issues and thereafter compiling the holistic
CLC model to depict these critical issues. Part 1 introduces cyberterrorism and provides the background to
the field by discussing incidents and example groups. Initially, the concept of cyberterrorism is explored and
the proposed definition tested. Part 2 looks at investigating cyberterrorism more deeply. A conceptual
framework is presented that introduces the most pertinent factors in the field of cyberterrorism. Next, the
traditional and innovative use of the Internet to carry out and support terrorism is explored. Then, the study
addresses the determination of additional social factors using Partial Least Squares Path Modelling. In Part
3, the field of cyberterrorism is more intensely studied. Cyberterrorism is mapped to the Observe-Orient-
Decide-Act (OODA) loop, which will form the basis of the CLC model. Thereafter, the most influential
concepts essential to the field of cyberterrorism are applied in order to classify attacks as cyberterrorism
using ontologies. Furthermore, in Part 3, countermeasures are discussed to look at ways to combat
cyberterrorism. Part 4 forms the crux of the research. The CLC model is presented as a structured
representation of the various influential factors relevant to cyberterrorism. Thereafter, the CLC model is
simulated to show the field more dynamically. Overall, the CLC model presented in this study aims to show
the interaction of the various strategic, behavioural and technical issues. The CLC model can help elucidate
the reasons for attraction into extremist groups and how attacks are carried out.