FREE ESSAY ON INFORMATIONAL TERRORISM

INFORMATIONAL TERRORISM

Informational Terrorism
The introduction of the computer has created a new type of terrorism known as
informational terrorism, which presents a threat, equal to or greater than physical
terrorism. E-mail bombs and attacks on internet servers are the lowest forms of
informational terrorism in terms of destruction. Higher forms of informational warfare
include using the internet as a catalyst to produce physical terrorism on a higher scale.
"The national security establishment is concerned with a new form of conflict;
informational warfare."(Devost, 1) The Department of Defense definition of terrorism is
the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to
coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are
generally political, religious, or ideological. (Research, 1) While in physical
terrorism, the perpetrator must come in contact with the target, in informational
terrorism the perpetrator only needs a computer connection. Not only are the tools of
information terrorism more accessible but the implications can be more devastating. In
conjunction with the Internet and the infancy of its laws, the criminal justice system
has fallen behind with its vague set of incoherent laws. Terroristic violence, as
portrayed in Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger, presents a serious threat to the U.S.
which should be dealt not only with caution and security, but also in conjunction with
response.
"Identifying international terrorists and their networks providing warning so that
protective or deterrent measures can be taken, and gathering information on terrorist
acts require a major U.S. intelligent effort." (Wilcox, 1) In Tom Clancy's Clear and
Present Danger, information is not correctly distributed to U.S. agents causing
underestimation of enemies. To rectify the drug problem initiated by Columbia, both the
United States and Columbia use physical terrorism to contend one another. After Colombian
drug lords murder a United States ambassador, the United States retaliates by mounting a
series of covert operations including assassinations and interdiction of drug production
and smuggling. Does the Colombian drug lords murder of one man justify the reactions of
over exertion of force from the U.S.? Tom Clancy used small teams of covert operatives to
launch a counter attack on the Colombians. The U.S. currently employs a strategy similar
to this. "To respond promptly to terrorist incidents abroad which require varied U.S.
resources, we have developed a unique fast reaction team. This team, led by an officer
from S/CT, consists of experts from DOD, CIA, FBI and other agencies, as needed. At the
request of a foreign government or an U.S. Ambassador abroad, this team can be dispatched
within a few hours on a specially dedicated aircraft provided by DOD to any place in the
world. The team's job is to provide support to the Ambassador and the host government in
resolving a terrorist crisis, and to advise on additional U.S. assets that might be
needed."(Combating, 2) This response does not only embody Clancy's counteraction but
surpasses it with the annexation of whatever force is necessary. "Small, tailored teams
can be launched, depending on the crisis, and specialists from individual urgencies can
be sent alone, as the situation arises"(Wilcox, 2)
If the product of physical terrorism is fear and death, how can information terrorism
render a greater threat? "Considering the presence of computers in modern society, it is
not surprising that terrorists have occasionally targeted computers systems in the
past."(Devost, 2) "Information terrorism is the nexus between criminal information system
fraud abuse, and the physical violence of terrorism"(Devost, 2) "Information technology
offers new opportunities to terrorists"(Devost, 1) "Information warfare, loosely defined,
is targeting the information and information systems that comprise and support civilian
and military infrastructures of an adversary. Information warfare runs deeper than
attacks on tanks and troops: an information warfare campaign can target and disrupt the
information and networks that support crucial day-to-day workings of civilian,
commercial, and military systems, e.g., air traffic control, power grids, stock markets,
international financial transactions, logistics controls, etc. "(Informational, 1)
"Information technology offers new opportunities to terrorists. "A terrorist organization
can reap low-risk, highly visible payoffs by attacking information systems. In an effort
to attract the attention of the public, political terrorists perpetrate their acts with
the media at the forefront of their strategy: this strategy calculus is based on the
assumption that access to the communication structure is directly related to power."
(Informational, 1) In short, informational terrorism can affect millions of people,
thousands of miles away, without leaving a trail for restitution.
"Terrorism is a rapidly evolving and responsive phenomenon." (Devost, 1) "It is war in
which there are no front lines and in which terrorism practitioners have intentionally
blurred the distinction between combatants and noncombatants."(Responding, 5) Any type of
terrorism is too destructive, whether it's as small as a kidnapping or as complex as
state-sponsored terrorism between two conflicting governments. "Terrorist violence
represents a serious threat to U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests around the
world"(Responding, 4) "As technology becomes more cost effective to terrorists - that is,
its availability and potential for disruptive effects rise wile its financial and other
costs go down."(Devost, 2) "To combat this growing threat, many members of Congress have
recently proposed anti-terrorist legislation."(Terrorism, 1) In my opinion the response
to terrorism is too late. When presented with an act of violence the counter-action will
involve violence. After the operation has transpired the anti-terrorism is only
vengeance. The only true way to combat terrorism and terrorist activities is prevention.
"The war against terrorism will be a protracted conflict." (Responding, 5) "Terrorism for
the foreseeable future will remain a weapon of choice for government groups, and other
parties to conflict." (Responding, 4)