Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Law department, Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, kuala lumpur, Malaysia
2
Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
10.22034/igq.2026.553528.2111
Abstract
Cyber terrorism has become a pervasive global menace that transcends national borders, threatening critical infrastructure, national security, and international peace. This reality has been amplified by the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and digital interconnectivity, which provide new avenues for terrorist organizations to operate anonymously and effectively. There have been numerous legal, policy, and regulatory efforts at both domestic and international levels to address the problem; however, cyberterrorism persists with increasing sophistication and frequency. This study employs content analysis to examine international, regional, and national legal frameworks aimed at countering cyber terrorism. It reviews 96 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, treaties, resolutions, and policy reports to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in current legal regimes. Particular attention is given to the United Nations’ counter-terrorism initiatives, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, and regional efforts within the European Union (EU), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through comparative analysis of Iraq and Malaysia, the paper demonstrates how differing geopolitical, legal, and institutional contexts shape the effectiveness of cyberterrorism responses. The findings underscore the urgent need for a unified global definition of cyber terrorism, improved multilateral cooperation, and harmonization of legal standards to enhance global cybersecurity resilience. This article contributes to geopolitical scholarship by situating cyber terrorism within the broader dynamics of international law, security governance, and state power competition in cyberspace.
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