Macquarie University

Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare - PICT808

Cyberspace is borderless and global. The emergence of modern technology and an information-based world has created new opportunities for criminals. This unit provides an overview of these new threats in terms of global security and the implications for law enforcement and national security responses. The course will analyse the processes of cyber terrorism and information cyber warfare through historical, operational and strategic perspectives. Topics like the role of the internet in radicalisation, extremism and recruitment, and the role of digital currency in money laundering and recruiting will be covered. Students will gain an understanding of various definitions of cyber terrorism and information warfare, and through an application of case studies will analyse and critique existing literature and understanding of these subject matters. They will also be able to analyse how nation states and non-nation state actors utilise the internet as an attack vector in information warfare to infiltrate digital systems to gain control of critical infrastructure. The unit is interactive and students are expected to actively participate in seminars and online discussion forums.