Examining the cyber operations of ISIS

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continue to develop and master its cyber capabilities to support its growing territory. The research assesses the growth and scope of ISIS' cyber capabilities by addressing the following questions: does ISIS fit the traditional definition of a terrorist? What cyber capabilities has ISIS employed in the past, and how is ISIS expanding on these capabilities? How does ISIS compare to other known cyber threats to the United States? Abundant research has been conducted that discuss ISIS' cyber success in the fields of recruitment and propaganda, but research is surprisingly limited on ISIS' offensive and defensive cyber operations. Research on this subject is important in order for states and intelligence services to understand the complexity and impact ISIS could have on the global population. Through the information and research gathered from governmental, journalistic, and various reports it was determined that ISIS represents a new type of terrorist organization, one that is more powerful and has a much larger and global reach than any other terrorist organization the United States has seen before. Conclusions yielded from the research concern standardizing the definition of terrorism, hopefully from a universally accepted source so there is no confusion on the definition. Additionally, further research and monitoring of ISIS' cyber operations needs to be conducted in order to understand the threat that ISIS represents in terms of cyber conflicts, and begin to combat it. ISIS' war with Anonymous offers the best, and most recent, analysis of ISIS' cyber expertise and capabilities.;Keywords: Cybersecurity, Dr. Michael Sanchez, cyber threats, cyber terrorism; Islamic State.