US: Cyberattacks can expose Islamic State communications
WASHINGTON - US cyberattacks to disrupt the Islamic State's communications and overload their networks could force the militant group to use older technologies that are easier for the US to intercept, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday.
Carter and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided details about how the Pentagon is using its new, aggressive cyber campaign as part of military operations against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
"As we disrupt the ISIL communications via cyber or other methods, sometimes we do drive them to other means," Carter told Pentagon reporters. "Sometimes, those other means are easier for us to listen to."
US officials told The Associated Press last week that the military had increased cyber operations against the group. The operations include efforts by US Cyber Command to prevent the group from using the Internet and social media to communicate and distribute propaganda aimed at attracting and inspiring recruits. The efforts could also force IS back to technologies like cell phones to communicate.
