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Cyberterrorism Attacks on Police Departments

NCJ Number
230639
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 77 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2010 Pages: 34-37
Author(s)
John Dewar
Date Published
March 2010
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the susceptibility of law enforcement agencies to cyber terrorism attacks and their ability to assess their cyber-vulnerabilities and protect their critical infrastructure from attack.
Abstract
The information super highway in which today's world is connected, has left the world's most critical computer-operated infrastructures susceptible to exploitation. The communications and computer systems relied upon by law enforcement agencies to protect communities is one susceptible to such exploitation. Critical infrastructure is a good target for cyber terrorists because most sectors are relatively exposed, vast, interconnected, and unprotected. Several steps are presented that can be taken by law enforcement officials to effectively mitigate such as attack and to respond and manage the incident. Preparation for such an attack is essential and training is imperative. Those law enforcement agencies that assess the potential harm from a cyber attack will be in the best position to safeguard against it. 13 notes