Cyber Crime and Cyber Terrorism

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CHAPTER 9
Understanding the situational awareness in cybercrimes
In cases where self-actualization occurs—i.e. the hackers attack to test systems 
or do it because they can—like in the Mafiaboy case—the threat can be classed as 
high impact.
Operationally, to start making assessments about threats, a method for collecting 
information and data using a taxonomy system for situational understanding has been 
presented. This model focuses on the intent and motivation behind cybercrimes and 
rather than taking a technical approach focuses on human factors. The five real-life 
cases not only show the diversity and sometimes complexity of individual crimes but 
also show the difference in motivations for the crimes. The proposed taxonomy for 
creating a knowledge repository therefore particularly focuses on the perceived moti-
vations and intent of potential suspects and perpetrators. Using the taxonomy model 
above provides a starting point toward gaining a clearer situational understanding 
of cybercrimes. Currently with a number of cybercrime strategies across the globe, 
and with no agreed definitions or legislation—gathering knowledge about the cyber-
crimes—including situational knowledge will help to foster the practical implications 
for countermeasures. This is especially true when considering our earlier definition 
of knowledge. Given the lack of agreed definitions and numerous strategies for cy-
bercrime, the model has been designed to be flexible for front line officers especially 
in light of the fact that cases vary in nature. The model also makes use of simple 
language since a Universal linguistic system for cybercrime has not yet been agreed.
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