Author(s): Bogdan-Ion CÎRSTEA
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: June 30, 2016
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 15/2016
DOI:
Abstract
Real-time communication, as an effect of large scale usage of
computers along with easier access to a very fast evolving technology, led to the
evolution of common threats to the national security of a state and the
expansion of new ones. Extremist organizations seized the opportunity and
developed new methods of spreading the propaganda. In this way, their goals
are much easier to achieve, generating insecurity to any state, organization or
community.
The emergence of social media simplified the methods of social
connection between individuals. The members of extremist groups took
advantage of this opportunity, which allows them to communicate and plan
future actions much easier than before, adding consistency, expansion and
coercion to their groups.
More than that, social media even marked the organization of modern
terrorist groups, organized in separate cells which can be easily merged to
achieve a goal. Different terrorist cells can communicate in order to exchange
their practices and experiences, to get in contact with one another and to
recruit new members. In this way, many common strategies appear, much
better planned and with a greater force of action. Intelligence services’ work to
prevent threats to national security generated by extremist and terrorist groups
is much harder given the context, because their reactions must be quick, well
dimensioned and efficient in order to counteract these groups’ actions.
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the important role that social
media can have in broadcasting extremist protests, adding coercion to extremist
groups and rapidity to protest expansion through on-line propaganda. I will
also explain how terrorist organizations use social media to connect
anonymously, how members spread their ideas to recruit people in a faster way
than in the past and also how they plan terrorist attacks much easier. An
intelligence service can mine social media and use data to counteract risks and
threats to national or regional security, generated by the actions of extremist
and terrorist groups, such as protests, terrorist attacks and extremist
propaganda used to recruit adepts and to advertise.
Keywords: Intelligence analysis, social media, national security,
opportunities
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