The Pentagon’s newest dedicated unit, Task Force Ares, is preparing to launch cyber warfare attacks against ISIS with the goal of disrupting communications.
Just as modern warfare is helping to win the fight against terrorism, extremists have made equally savvy use of the internet to plan, organize, and carry out attacks worldwide. Now, the Pentatgon’s newest dedicated unit, Task Force Ares, is set to take the fight online.
Task Force Ares finds its roots in the United States Cyber Command, which was originally given the task of launching online offensives against ISIS earlier this year.
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However, Cyber Command was ill-equipped for the role, and lacked the funding, tools and personell to carry out effective online strikes against extremists.
Now, Task Force Ares has been comprised to function where Cyber Command originally fell short. Ares will begin offensives aimed at disrupting ISIS’ payment system as well as disrupting communications, which the group allegedly uses several chat apps for.
The Pentagon have revealed their plans to make use of the task force where convetional warfare or raids might cause civillian casualties. To exemplify, Task Force Ares might cut off communications around an area suspected to be a hideout, rather than resorting to an unmanned bombing through a UAV.
Perhaps more worringly, the Pentagon has confirmed that Task Force Ares will initially be limited to launching cyberattacks against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, but will launch global strikes in due course. The nature of those international strikes will, of course, be left up to US Cyber Command.
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What are your thoughts on the formation of Task Force Ares? Should more units such as the team be formed, or is the risk such a unit poses to internet freedom too dangerous? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
