Network Technologies for Networked Terrorists: Assessing the Value of Information and Communication Technologies to Modern Terrorist Organizations

Abstract

Understanding how terrorists conduct successful operations is critical to countering them. Terrorist organizations use a wide range of network technologies as they plan and stage attacks. This book explores the role that these communications and computer technologies play and the net effect of their use, the purpose and manner in which the technology is used, the operational actions of terrorists and possible responses of security forces. The authors conclude that future network technologies modestly improve terrorist group efficiency, particularly for their supporting activities, but do not dramatically improve their attack operations. Precluding terrorists from getting the technology they want is impractical; developing direct counters is unlikely to yield high payoffs. Instead, exploiting the technologies and the information such technologies use to enable more direct security force operations are more promising options.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA473460

Entities

People

  • Brian Jackson
  • Bruce Don
  • Dave Frelinger
  • Eric Landree
  • Scott Gerwehr

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Programming
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Electronic Mail
  • Employment
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Mobile Communications
  • Mobile Computing
  • Mobile Phones
  • Multiple Access
  • Network Science
  • Personal Computers
  • Personnel Management
  • Recreation
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Text Messaging

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Systems Analysis and Design