Although the goal of destroying the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria's physical caliphate has been largely successful, ISIS's ability on digital platforms to recruit and spread terrorist propaganda may be a greater long-term threat, Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson warned, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
"It is good that we by and large have taken away the physical caliphate," the Wisconsin Republican said at a committee hearing on evolving terror threats. "[But] we have in no way, shape or form denied them the cyber caliphate. That may be a more persistent, long-term threat."
Congressmen and security officials emphasized the need to upgrade techniques to combat ISIS's efforts on social media to recruit new members and inspire attacks, with FBI deputy assistant director for counterterrorism Nikki Floris stressing the terror organization's sophisticated use of social media.
"No group has been as successful at drawing people into its perverse message as ISIS," Floris said. "ISIS uses high quality traditional media platforms as well as widespread social media campaigns to propagate its extremist ideology."
She particularly cited the group's ability to use encrypted communications as a means to evade law enforcement, according to The Hill.
Some social media companies have taken action in an attempt to get rid of ISIS propaganda online, but senators were aware that more is needed to confront the continued threat.
"They still pose a significant threat to us in the cyber domain," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. "Probably the most significant threat we face as a country comes from the cyber threat that we must deal with."
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