Editing Terrorist

== Definition ==

[[File:Terrorobj.png|thumb]]

A '''terrorist''' is an individual who seek to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit [[critical infrastructure]]s to threaten [[national security]], cause mass casualties, weaken the economy, and damage public morale and confidence. 

== Use of technology ==

[[Technology]] has important implications for the terrorist [[threat]]. [[Infrastructure]] [[technologies]] provide attractive [[target]]s for terrorists who can apply a range of rudimentary and advanced attack techniques to [[disrupt]] or undermine confidence in a range of [[system]]s. Key elements of the national [[infrastructure]], such as transportation, [[telecommunications]], energy, banking, public health, and water supply are becoming increasingly dependent on [[computerized system]]s and linkages.

[[File:Terrortac.png|thumb|left]]

These systems provide [[target]]ing opportunities for adversaries who possess even limited [[technological]] capabilities, and who have the ability to identify [[critical infrastructure]] choke points. Terrorists can apply [[computer-generated]] [[attack]]s or more traditional means such as bombs or physical destruction to cause system-wide malfunctions. [[Interdependencies]] of [[system]]s, such as power and transportation, exacerbate this [[vulnerability]]. Significant [[disruption]] of [[power grid]]s can have a devastating impact on air traffic control, railway operations, port operations, and emergency services such as fire and/or rescue and police. [[Attack]]s such as power outages also impact a wide segment of the population, command significant media attention and consequently provide an effective means for the terrorist to reach a "captive" audience.

A range of commercially available [[technologies]] can dramatically enhance terrorist operational capability. These include [[communications]] equipment, [[encryption]] capabilities, [[surveillance]] equipment, weapons, a range of [[computer]] and [[information management]] [[technologies]], weapons components, and the [[Internet]]. The ability to acquire or adapt [[technologies]] can give terrorists an edge in choosing [[target]]s and conducting [[attack]]s as well as significantly expanding their range of [[attack]] options.

== Cyberattacks ==

Traditional terrorist adversaries of the United States are less developed in their [[computer network]] capabilities than other adversaries. Terrorists likely pose a limited [[cyber threat]]. The [[CIA]] believes terrorists will stay focused on traditional [[attack]] methods, but it anticipates growing [[cyber threat]]s as a more technically competent generation enters the ranks.

[[Hacking]] could be used by terrorist groups to harvest information for planning physical or [[cyber attack]]s. [[Audit log]]s from [[website]]s, [[infrastructure]] owners, and national laboratories have recorded extensive, systematic [[information gathering]] originating from countries that serve as home bases for terrorist groups. Terrorist groups also are using the [[Internet]] for [[covert]] communications, and sympathetic [[hacker]] groups have launched various “[[e-jihad]]s,” consisting primarily of [[web page]] defacements and [[DoS]] attacks.

Terrorist groups are known to have included not only engineers, computer scientists, and business people with backgrounds in [[computer]]s, [[network]]s, and [[computer]]-based [[system]]s but also people with [[access]] to [[hardware]] and [[software]] producers. Terrorist groups have even sold [[computer]] products, which could in principle include [[malicious software]]. One known terrorist group is notable because it assembles and sells [[computer system]]s. Although law enforcement has not uncovered information pointing to subversion of [[software]] products, the potential for such activity exists. The evidence indicates that terrorist groups now have or can acquire the necessary expertise for identifying targets and conducting [[cyberattack]]s with serious or catastrophic consequences.

== See also ==

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* [[Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office]]
* [[Domestic terrorism]]
* [[International terrorism]]
* [[International terrorist]]
* [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]]
* [[National Joint Terrorism Task Force]]
* [[National Terrorism Advisory System]]
* [[Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center]]
* [[State Terrorism Threat Assessment Center]]
* [[State Terrorism Threat Assessment System]]
* [[Terrorism]]
* [[Terrorism information]]
* [[Terrorism Information Awareness]]
* [[Terrorism Information and Prevention System]]
* [[Terrorism-related information]]
* [[Terrorism Information Sharing and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress]] 
* [[Terrorist act]]
* [[Terrorist activity]]
* [[Terrorist attack]]
* [[Terrorist Financial Tracking Program]]
* [[Terrorist group]]
* [[Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment]]
* [[Terrorist organization]]
* [[Terrorist Screening Center]]
* [[Terrorists use of the Internet]]
* [[U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism]]
[[Category:Security]]
[[Category:Computer crime]]
[[Category:Definition]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]