Technology becomes an ever-increasing target as we become more and more reliant on it.
Although I can't state this as fact - yet - I am pretty sure that terrorist groups have recognized that cyber-attacks can be just as effective as "hard-attacks". The facility or capability to bring down a banking or law enforcement system must be an overwhelming temptation.
The other benefit is that these attacks can be conducted from anywhere. No longer do militants have to deal with the logistics of meeting/planning in person, technology is yet just another one tool in the kit of intimidation and nefarious criminal activity.
I'm reminded of this based on an article in PC World which states that the US Air Force is now training their recruits on basic cyber-warfare techniques and concepts.
As I read this article, I had a total flash-back to one particular Star Trek episode (THE Star Trek - TOS with Captain Kirk). This episode had the crew of the Enterprise (if memory serves!) beam down to the surface of a planet to mediate a war between two different groups of society. To his surprise, Kirk determines that HOW they conduct their war is that each side's computer randomly selects members of the opposing faction. If your number was "up", then you were required to calmly march to the extermination chamber.
I remember Kirk's soliloquy...the army heads of this faction justified this approach with something along the lines of "well - this is a more humane way to battle - less property damage, collateral damage, etc...". Kirk's response - in a very dramatic and extremely Kirk-ian way - was that this is why the war was lingering, because they weren't seeing the horrors of war, that they had lost the "humanity" of war.
I also recall after watching this episode how the general plot got the point across very eloquently and that it had the kind of logic that perhaps would make Spock proud.
I read this article today and instantly thought to myself - is there where war is headed?
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