Gli strumenti di contrasto al terrorismo e al cyber-terrorismo nel contesto europeo

Abstract

This article is a review of European policies towards the fight against terrorism and cyber-terrorism that has been operating since 2001, the year of the win Tower's attack in New York. Its aim is to identify changes occurred after the major terrorist attacks of the beginning of this century (Madrid in 2004, London in 2005, Oslo and Utøya in 2011, Toulouse and Montauban in 2012, Boston in 2013). Starting from the international academic debate about the definition of terrorism and cyber-terrorism, the article highlights the current traits of this phenomenon, with an interest towards the massive effects of its technological evolution. The new distinguishing marks of terrorism, different from the past, have imposed the development of new strategies at national and international levels in order to fight against it. Afterwards, the article focuses on Italian and European policies, underlying the problems regarding the delicate balance between security needs and protection of basic freedoms and democracy.