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1 Introduction
National governments and decision makers in the twenty-first century face a new security environment which has emerged as a result of globalisation accompanied by the ever increasing speed of technological advancements. Against this background, the threat from terrorism remains a key concern in relation to national security. The existing focus remains on the threat of a terrorist "cyber" attack. However, of equal if not more concern is the use of cyberspace by terrorists to achieve its strategic and operational objectives.
Recent advancements in technological innovation, in particular internet-based technologies, have not only helped to link the world more closely together, but have brought numerous added benefits, socially and economically. Technologies such as e-mail and Skype offer instant communication at low cost. In terms of commerce, companies have been able to offer services that are more competitive as a result of the use of internet-based technologies. For example, sales orders can be made via e-mail at any time of day or night, which can be processed instantaneously, and dispatched more quickly than ever before, thus improving the speed of services provided. In addition, automated technologies have enabled companies to reduce the number of staff for order processing, resulting in the reduction of overhead which in turn leads to a reduction in cost. The lower cost benefit is then able to be passed onto their customers in the form of a lower price for the services or products sold. Furthermore, modern technologies allow more employees to work from home, which again has had the benefit of reducing office space leading to further reductions in operational costs.
Another consequence of globalisation and technological advancements is that distance and geographical boundaries become less relevant. As such, companies are able to recruit employees anywhere around the globe provided they have the necessary qualifications and have access to an internet connection to enable them to operate. However, the downside is that these benefits can also be enjoyed by terrorists. The internet is a double-edged sword from a counter-terrorism perspective in that it is a vital national infrastructure that can be a target of a terrorist attack and needs to be protected; but equally, it is a tool used by terrorists to achieve their short-, medium- and long-term objectives, both...