Contemporary security challenges: Hactivism as a new form of social conflict

Abstract

Nowadays, computer networks and information infrastructures security in general is not just a technical problem, but also an important strategic question. Due to the fact that global computer network is widespread and decentralized, together with the absence of legal framework which would regulate cyber warfare, activities of hacktivists - a sui generis cyber guerilla- has become an important problem of cyber security and additionally emphasized the importance of protection of information systems, conducting international investigations, extradition and punishment of perpetrators. The phenomenon of hacktivism has been present for about fifteen years, and it has affected various states on different continents, but even to this day no adequate and widely accepted solution for preventing this undesirable occurrence has been found. This paper attempts to describe the phenomenon of hactivism, discuss its implications for national security, as well as to offer a critical review of the current problems and strategies related to counteracting this occurrence.

Bezbednost računarskih mreža i, uopšte, informacionih infrastruktura danas nije više samo tehnički problem nego i važno strateško pitanje. Usled rasprostranjenosti i decentralizovanosti globalne računarske mreže kao i nepostojanja pravne regulative koja bi regulisala sajber ratovanje, aktivnost haktivista - svojevrsne sajber gerile - postala je jedan od važnih problema sajber bezbednosti i dodatno naglasila značaj zaštite informacionih sistema, sprovođenja međunarodnih istraga, ekstradicije i kažnjavanja izvršilaca. Fenomen haktivizma postoji oko petanest godina, pogađao je različite države na različitim kontinentima, ali do danas nije pronađeno adekvatno i opšteprihvaćeno rešenje za suzbijanje ove nepoželjne pojave. Ovaj rad nastoji da sa aspekta sajber bezbednosti opiše fenomen haktivizma, razmotri njegove implikacije po nacionalnu bezbednost država, kao i da pruži kritički osvrt na aktuelne probleme i strategije koji su vezani za suprotstavljanje ovoj pojavi.