This case-study is an interesting example as it draws on much that has been blogged about so far, in terms of characteristics as well as highlights one major contemporary criminological debate with regards to the issue.
In 2007, the Baltic state of Estonia was subjected to a series of cyber-attacks that rendered the country helpless for 3 weeks. The cause of such attack was as due to a row that erupted between Estonia and neighbour, Russia, over the removal of a war memorial of a Soviet Soldier in the capital Tallinn. (Guardian, 17/05/2007). The attacks themselves targeted a mixture of organisations from parliament, banks, ministries to public institutions such as the media. In other words, the country was temporarily disabled, with the public unable to excess the internet, banks or media outlets of what was happening. Initially, as the relationship between the two countries was somewhat disjointed the blame was positioned on the Kremlin (HQ of the Russian Federation Government), however after extensive investigations (with NATO cyber-detectives being sent over to help), it was discovered that it was members of the youth movement ‘Nashi’ (Pro-Kremlin) who were responsible for the attacks. Nevertheless the power of such attacks last had a devastating effect on global security with NATO pressing for tighter regulations of cyber-crime under international law and swift analysis of their own security weaknesses.
What can we learn from 2007 attacks?
- Cyber-Terrorism is very much a threat – This example demonstrated that the topic of cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism in particular was a significant hindrance to global security. Especially with a heightened outlook since 9/11, the attacks on Estonia emphasised the power of the internet and the dependency society has on it. The fact that NATO drafted detectives to help Estonia as well as had a thoroughly evaluation of their software in the aftermath of the attacks demonstrates that even the most powerful organisations in the world are threatened by cyber-attacks.
- Cyber-terrorism isn’t just random, holds characteristics – as mentioned in previous blogs, although there is not a set ‘criteria’ of cyber-terrorism however there does seem to be some correlation between specific attacks and the certain characteristics. For example, this attack in particular was definitely pre-meditated, a reaction to the removal of the statue. In terms of objective or targeting, by news articles and government reports around the time of the attacks, it’s believe that the attacks were on political, economical and civil infrastructures with the sole purpose to cause disruption. The final characteristics that was not covered in the previous entry was the notion of power. As International relations between the two countries have been taut since the breakdown of the Soviet Union (When the USSR controlled the Baltic state), Estonia has tried to seek independence from it’s Russian counterpart. This in itself can be interpreted as a threat to Russia’s influence over it’s once owned territory, and therefore the attacks could be an example of Russia reasserting it’s dominance and power over the country.
- New terrorism vs Old Terrorism? – This example relates to the contemporary debate of New vs Old Terrorism whereby it is believed that a new ‘type’ of terrorism has emerged. Estonia’s 2007 attacks is an interesting case-study as it contradicts this belief. Firstly the belief is that new terrorism is predominately ‘religious’, however it is quite obvious that there is no religious incentive behind the attacks, more territorial than anything. Another is the methods, and although the use of the internet fulfils the idea of new terrorism, one could argue that terrorist attacks has not changed, it has just developed along with globalisation. Lastly is the belief that the structure of new-terrorism is based on a network, with no hierarchy as such. The fact that the attacks were carried out by Nashi, a youth movement, within the hierarchy of the Kremlin demonstrates the lack of evidence support this debate.
This case-study is a significant example of modern day cyber-terrorism. Although the methods have not changed in terms of the Black Tigers, nearly 10 years previous, it highlights at how this type of crime can have a considerable effect on society and global security. Next week’s entry shall look into the counter-measures in tackling this problem.
References:
Traynor, I. ‘Russia accused of unleashing cyberwar to disable Estonia’. The Guardian. 17/05/2007. [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/may/17/topstories3.russia [accessed 12/11/2013].
Cyber-Terrorism: The Changing Nature of Terrorist Activities 