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http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress10/mueller041510.htm

Congressional Testimony

Robert S. Mueller, III
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Statement Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

April 15, 2010

SNIPPET: “National Security Threats

Terrorism: Terrorism, in general, and al Qaeda and its affiliates in particular, continue to leverage proven tactics and tradecraft with adaptations designed to address its losses and the enhanced security measures of the United States. Al Qaeda seeks to infiltrate overseas operatives who have no known nexus to terrorism into the United States using both legal and illegal methods of entry. Further, al Qaeda’s continued efforts to access chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear material pose a serious threat to the United States. Finally, al Qaeda’s choice of targets and attack methods will most likely continue to focus on economic targets, such as aviation, the energy sector, and mass transit; soft targets such as large public gatherings; and symbolic targets, such as monuments and government buildings.

Homegrown violent extremists also pose a very serious threat. Homegrown violent extremists are not clustered in one geographic area, nor are they confined to any one type of setting—they can appear in cities, smaller towns, and rural parts of the country. This diffuse and dynamic threat—which can take the form of a lone actor—is of particular concern.

While much of the national attention is focused on the substantial threat posed by international terrorists to the homeland, the United States must also contend with an ongoing threat posed by domestic terrorists based and operating strictly within the United States. Domestic terrorists, motivated by a number of political or social issues, continue to use violence and criminal activity to further their agendas.

Cyber: Cyber threats come from a vast array of groups and individuals with different skills, motives, and targets. Terrorists increasingly use the Internet to communicate, conduct operational planning, propagandize, recruit and train operatives, and obtain logistical and financial support. Foreign governments have the technical and financial resources to support advanced network exploitation, and to launch attacks on the United States information and physical infrastructure. Criminal hackers can also pose a national security threat, particularly if recruited, knowingly or unknowingly, by foreign intelligence or terrorist organizations.

Regardless of the group or individuals involved, a successful cyber attack can have devastating effects. Stealing or altering military or intelligence data can affect national security. Attacks against national infrastructure can interrupt critical emergency response services, government and military operations, financial services, transportation, and water and power supply. In addition, cyber fraud activities pose a growing threat to our economy, a fundamental underpinning of United States national security.

Weapons of Mass Destruction: The global weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threat to the United States and its interests continues to be a significant concern. In 2008, the National Intelligence Council produced a National Intelligence Estimate to assess the threat from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and materials through 2013. The assessment concluded that it remains the intent of terrorist adversaries to seek the means and capability to use WMD against the United States at home and abroad. In 2008, the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism concluded that “the United States government has yet to fully adapt….that the risks are growing faster than our multilayered defenses.” The WMD Commission warned that without greater urgency and decisive action, it is more likely than not that a WMD will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013.

Osama bin Laden has said that obtaining WMD is a “religious duty” and is reported to have sought to perpetrate a “Hiroshima” on United States soil. Globalization makes it easier for terrorists, groups, and lone actors to gain access to and transfer WMD materials, knowledge, and technology throughout the world. As noted in the WMD Commission’s report, those intent on using WMD have been active and as such “the margin of safety is shrinking, not growing.”

Foreign Intelligence: The foreign intelligence threat to the United States continues to increase as foreign powers seek to establish economic, military, and political preeminence and to position themselves to compete with the United States in economic and diplomatic arenas. The most desirable United States targets are political and military plans and intentions; technology; and economic institutions, both governmental and non-governmental. Foreign intelligence services continue to target and recruit United States travelers abroad to acquire intelligence and information. Foreign adversaries are increasingly employing non-traditional collectors—e.g., students and visiting scientists, scholars, and businessmen—as well as cyber-based tools to target and penetrate United States institutions.”