Committee on Armed Services United State

Cybersecurity, Encryption and United States National Security Matters Committee on Armed Services United State

End-to-end encryption allows communications and data shared across devices and platforms to be seen only by the individuals holding the device. The information on the device cannot be accessed in most cases by the company and in nearly all cases by the government, even with a lawful court order backed by probable cause. Major American technology companies have made this level of encryption the default setting on their devices, meaning that even the least sophisticated lone wolves can operate in digital secrecy. Terrorist groups like ISIL [The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] have taken notice. ISIL's backward ideology and brutal tactics may be a throwback to medieval times, but these terrorists are also effectively using modern technological tools. Indeed, encryption is now ubiquitous across the counterterrorism fight, providing an avenue for recruitment and radicalization, as well as the planning and coordination of attacks that pose an increasingly difficult challenge to intelligence collection, military operations, and law enforcement. Put simply, encryption is eroding the digital advantage our national security and intelligence officials once enjoyed. There are thousands of lawfully seized iPhones and other devices in the hands of law enforcement today that are completely inaccessible because their manufacturers refuse to comply with court-issued search warrants. The result is that thousands of murder, child sex abuse, and human trafficking cases are not being fully investigated. Let there be no doubt the job of our national security agencies and our local, State, and Federal law enforcement is getting harder and the threat is growing.