Terrorism is increasingly being viewed as a major threat across different countries. The unprecedented advancement of technology that we all witness today makes us particularly vulnerable to this threat, as terrorists have demonstrated the strong tendency to use technological arms to the harm of common people (Goodman, 2012). Thus, terrorists now have broad opportunities to use anonymous communication through the internet, as well as to decode or intercept the electronic data of individual citizens or government agencies (International Terrorism and Security Research, n.d.). They can harm thousands of people through biological, radiological, chemical and cyber attacks. At the same time, however, technology can be effective to fight against terrorism by providing a broad array of methods to detect terrorists and prevent their attacks.
Different international organizations and individual governments are heavily investing in the development of new counter-terrorist technologies. Within the framework of NATO’s Science for Peace and Security program, scientists from different countries collaborate on new technologies to identify biological, chemical and nuclear agents that can be used in terrorist attacks (NATO Multimedia Library, 2015). Thus, they have developed sensors that detect suicide bombers in public areas and new means of protection of critical infrastructure. New technological solutions are being devised in assisting the countries that have already suffered from terrorist attacks to mitigate their effects on environment and society. Security systems in the airports around the globe now widely apply the computerized recognition pattern to detect weapons in the baggage and under the clothes.
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Auto-pilot technologies are being expanded to prevent hijackers from taking manual control of the airplane (Triplett, 2001). However, there is still a room for improvement in airline security. Thus, it is claimed that identification devices at counters should become more sophisticated, with the integration of biometrics technology and the direct linking to FBI and CIA databases. The International Defense Exhibition and Conference, which takes place biennially in Abu-Dhabi is at the forefront of the newest technologies that can be used to fight terrorism and enhance national security. For example, at the IDEX 2015, Egypt has acquired extensive weapons and equipment to decrease the threat of terrorism (Najib, 2015). This event enables national governments to diversify their arsenal of counter-terrorist methods at their disposal.
Technology plays a central role both in terrorism and in the fight against it. Terrorists have a wide range of methods they can use to harm people and they have the advantage of choosing a particular the timing, while national governments need to deter any possible terrorist action at any time. In this context, countries that are subject to this threat should invest more efforts in the development counter-terrorist technology across the fields of person identification, detection of harmful substances and airlines security to promote the safety of civilian citizens.
- Goodman, M. (2012, July 29). How technology makes us vulnerable. CNN. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/29/opinion/goodman-ted-crime/
- International Terrorism and Security Research (n.d.). What is terrorism. Retrieved from http://www.terrorism-research.com/
- Najib, M. (2015, February 24). IDEX 2015: Egypt military modernisation set to continue. IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.janes.com/article/49437/idex-2015-egyptian-military-modernisation-set-to-continue
- NATO Multimedia Library (2015). Science and technology to combat terrorism. Retrieved from http://www.natolibguides.info/science
- Triplett, W. (2001, September 20). Technology will assist the fight against terrorism. Nature. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/news/2001/010920/full/news010920-14.html
