Date of Graduation

Spring 2014

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

John Rose

Abstract

This thesis explores how jihadi terrorists are exploiting the cyberspace, specifically the internet, through jihad. The beginning of the thesis explores the denotation of the term jihad and an understanding of it as stated in the Qur'an. After acknowledging that cyber-terrorism is a very effective method of waging jihad and is worthy of exploration, this thesis argues the form and theory behind electronic jihad and catalogs how modern day jihadi terrorist groups, e.g., Al Qaeda, are practicing cyber-jihad such as through developing software that can conduct distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS). Next, the thesis explores other scholars' definitions of cyber-terrorism, and then, explores the potential for jihadis to engineer and launch a cyber-terrorist attack. The conclusion details how to protect the Smart City from a jihadi cyber-terrorist attack by installing a central operating system in each of these cities that can think for itself by understanding how citizens live day to day.

Keywords

jihad, Smart City, cyber-terrorism, electronic jihad

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Joseph John Tritico

Download

Campus Only

Share

COinS