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FBI
Terrorism Gone
Viral: The Attack in Garland, Texas and Beyond
Michael B. Steinbach
Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Statement Before the House Homeland Security Committee
Washington, D.C.
June 03, 2015
Good morning Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and members of
the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today
to discuss the widespread reach of terrorists’ influence, which
transcends geographic boundaries like never before. As technology
advances so, too, does terrorists’ use of technology to
communicate—both to inspire and recruit. The widespread use of
technology propagates the persistent terrorist message to attack U.S.
interests whether in the Homeland or abroad. As the threat to harm
Western interests evolves, we must adapt and confront the challenges,
relying heavily on the strength of our federal, state, local, and
international partnerships.
We continue to identify individuals who seek to join the ranks of
foreign fighters traveling in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant, commonly known as ISIL, and also homegrown violent
extremists who may aspire to attack the United States from within.
These threats remain among the highest priorities for the FBI and the
Intelligence Community as a whole.
Conflicts in Syria and Iraq continue to serve as the most attractive
overseas theaters for Western-based extremists who want to engage in
violence. We estimate upwards of 200 Americans have traveled or
attempted to travel to Syria to participate in the conflict. While this
number is lower in comparison to many of our international partners, we
closely analyze and assess the influence groups like ISIL have on
individuals located in the United States who are inspired to commit
acts of violence. Whether or not the individuals are affiliated with a
foreign terrorist organization and are willing to travel abroad to
fight or are inspired by the call to arms to act in their communities,
they potentially pose a significant threat to the safety of the United
States and U.S. persons.
ISIL has proven relentless in its violent campaign to rule and has
aggressively promoted its hateful message, attracting like-minded
extremists to include Westerners. To an even greater degree than al
Qaeda or other foreign terrorist organizations, ISIL has persistently
used the Internet to communicate. From a homeland perspective, it is
ISIL’s widespread reach through the Internet and social media which is
most concerning as ISIL has aggressively employed this technology for
its nefarious strategy. ISIL blends traditional media platforms, glossy
photos, in-depth articles, and social media campaigns that can go viral
in a matter of seconds. No matter the format, the message of
radicalization spreads faster than we imagined just a few years ago.
Unlike other groups, ISIL has constructed a narrative that touches on
all facets of life—from career opportunities to family life to a sense
of community. The message isn’t tailored solely to those who are
overtly expressing symptoms of radicalization. It is seen by many who
click through the Internet every day, receive social media push
notifications, and participate in social networks. Ultimately, many of
these individuals are seeking a sense of belonging.
As a communication medium, social media is a critical tool for terror
groups to exploit. One recent example occurred last week. An individual
was arrested for providing material support to ISIL by facilitating an
associate’s travel to Syria to join ISIL. The arrested individual had
multiple connections, via a social media networking site, with other
like-minded individuals.
As I’ve stated in previous opportunities I’ve had to testify before
this committee, there is no set profile for the susceptible consumer of
this propaganda. However, one trend continues to rise—the inspired
youth. We’ve seen certain children and young adults drawing deeper into
the ISIL narrative. These individuals are often comfortable with
virtual communication platforms, specifically social media networks.
ISIL continues to disseminate their terrorist message to all social
media users—regardless of age. Following other groups, ISIL has
advocated for lone wolf attacks. In recent months ISIL released a
video, via social media, reiterating the group’s encouragement of lone
offender attacks in Western countries, specifically advocating for
attacks against soldiers and law enforcement, intelligence community
members, and government personnel. Several incidents have occurred in
the United States and Europe over the last few months that indicate
this “call to arms” has resonated among ISIL supporters and
sympathizers.
In one case, a Kansas-based male was arrested in April after he
systematically carried out steps to attack a U.S. military institution
and a local police station. The individual, who was inspired by ISIL
propaganda, expressed his support for ISIL online and took steps to
carry out acts encouraged in the ISIL call to arms.
The targeting of U.S. military personnel is also evident with the
release of hundreds of names of individuals serving in the U.S.
military by ISIL supporters. The names were posted to the Internet and
quickly spread through social media, depicting ISIL’s capability to
produce viral messaging. Threats to U.S. military and coalition forces
continue today.
Across the world, recent events commemorating ANZAC Day, a significant
milestone in Australian and New Zealand military history, attracted
unwanted attention that could have resulted in violence had Australian
authorities not disrupted the plotting efforts underway. These arrests
re-emphasize our need to remain vigilant in the homeland against these
small scale attacks.
We should also understand community and world events—as viewed through
the eyes of a committed individual—may trigger action. As we’ve seen
with recent highly publicized events, including the attack in Garland,
Texas, these acts of terror will attract international media attention
and may inspire “copy cat” attacks. The targeting of the Muhammad Art
Exhibit and Contest exemplifies the call to arms approach encouraged by
ISIL along with the power of viral messaging. In this instance, the
event gained much publicity prior to it occurring and attracted
negative attention that reached areas of the country—and the world—that
it may not have without the widespread reach of the Internet. The
extensive network coupled with the magnetic messaging provides
inspiration and validation that others share their outrage.
Lastly, social media has allowed groups, such as ISIL, to use the
Internet to spot and assess potential recruits. With the widespread
horizontal distribution of social media, terrorists can identify
vulnerable individuals of all ages in the United States—spot, assess,
recruit, and radicalize—either to travel or to conduct a homeland
attack. The foreign terrorist now has direct access into the United
States like never before.
In recent arrests, a group of individuals was contacted by a known ISIL
supporter who had already successfully traveled to Syria and encouraged
them to do the same.
Some of these conversations occur in publicly accessed social
networking sites, but others take place via private messaging
platforms. As a result, it is imperative the FBI and all law
enforcement organizations understand the latest communication tools and
are positioned to identify and prevent terror attacks in the homeland.
We live in a technologically driven society and just as private
industry has adapted to modern forms of communication so too have the
terrorists. Unfortunately, changing forms of Internet communication are
quickly outpacing laws and technology designed to allow for the lawful
intercept of communication content. This real and growing gap the FBI
refers to as Going Dark is the source of continuing focus for the FBI,
it must be urgently addressed as the risks associated with Going Dark
are grave both in traditional criminal matters as well as in national
security matters. We are striving to ensure appropriate, lawful
collection remains available. Whereas traditional voice telephone
companies are required by CALEA to develop and maintain capabilities to
intercept communications when law enforcement has lawful authority,
that requirement does not extend to most Internet communications
services. As a result, such services are developed and deployed without
any ability for law enforcement to collect information critical to
criminal and national security investigations and prosecutions.
The FBI, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, is
utilizing all lawful investigative techniques and methods to combat the
threat these individuals may pose to the United States. In conjunction
with our domestic and foreign partners, we are rigorously collecting
and analyzing intelligence information as it pertains to the ongoing
threat posed by foreign terrorist organizations and homegrown violent
extremists. In partnership with our many federal, state, and local
agencies assigned to Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the country, we
remain vigilant to ensure the safety of the American public. Be
assured, the FBI continues to pursue increased efficiencies and
information sharing processes as well as pursue technological and other
methods to help stay ahead of threats to the Homeland.
Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and committee members, I
thank you for the opportunity to testify concerning terrorists’ use of
the Internet and social media as a platform for spreading ISIL
propaganda and inspiring individuals to target the homeland. I am happy
to answer any questions you might have.
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