CYBERTERRORISM AND COUNTER CYBERTERRORISM POLICY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Abstract

Terrorism as a phenomenonhas been in existence perhaps since time immemorial but the means by which terrorist acts have been conducted have changed over time. The emergence of the cyberspace (development in information technology) has created opportunities on one hand and vulnerabilities on the other hand. Individuals and terrorist organisations have capitalised on these vulnerabilities within cyberspace to launch attacks with the cyber realm, thus the emergence of cyberterrorism. The objective of this paper is to investigate the emergence of cyberterrorism and measures or policies that states employ to counter cyberterrorism. The research focuses on examining counter cyberterrorism measures or strategies in the Russian Federation. The methodology used for this paper is that of qualitative research based on the available literatures. The conclusion is that cyberterrorism has become a serious problem for the entire world. The danger of cyberterrorism lies in the fact that it does not know the state borders, therefore it is possible to fight it only jointly, and the counter cyberterrorism policy of the Russian Fedaration in insufficient.