Andrew Cochran at the CT Blog reminds us that there is a cyber aspect to the very physical conflict going on in the Middle East.

Having tracked this issue for years for Uncle Sam I am struck by the complete lack of progress made on this front by terrorist groups. They have turned the IED world on its head in just a few years, but as the rest of the world rushes headlong into cyberspace sophistication, they’re still screwing with web pages. On the scale of things that can be done online, defacements are essentially graffiti that even the gov’t stopped worrying about years ago. As I argued then I continue to argue now; it is not for a lack of technical talent, but a statement by group leadership on the relative value of digital attacks: hacks don’t kill.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.