WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, sought assurances today from the U.S. Department of Defense that reasonable and appropriate steps are being taken to protect 100 American military personnel, more than a dozen from Virginia, publicly identified and targeted for violence by Islamic State extremists.

Over the weekend, names, photos and other identifying details, including home addresses of Service members, were released by the “Islamic State Hacking Division.” The group called on supporters within the United States to inflict harm on the military personnel and their families.  Published reports indicate the identifying information appears to have been collected through news stories, social media sites, and through military media efforts.

“I would ask that you do everything possible to immediately offer these 100 publicly identified Service members with assistance. You have my support in assembling whatever resources are required to help their families navigate this frightening and dangerous situation and mitigate the threat,” Sen. Warner said in a letter to the Secretary of Defense. “Additionally, this event underscores the reality that in a connected world, we must ensure the integrity of sensitive military information, and arm our Service members with the tools and knowledge they need to constantly protect themselves against future threats.”

The full text of the letter follows. A PDF of the signed letter is available here.

March 24, 2015

The Honorable Ashton Carter

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Carter: 

I am deeply concerned by reports that ISIL apparently has identified and published the personal identifying information of at least 100 American military personnel, and explicitly called for followers to seek out these individuals and their families for violent attacks in their homes. I know that you, together with the FBI and other federal and military law enforcement personnel, are investigating this matter, and share my strong belief that we must urgently address these threats and ensure the safety of our military men and women. 

As you know, ISIL repeatedly has demonstrated a shocking level of brutality and violence, often against noncombatants and other innocents, that is simply appalling to civilized nations. As well, ISIL has demonstrated an ability to utilize the tools of social media and modern technologies to recruit followers, instigate sympathizers, and now identify targets for so-called “lone wolf” attacks.

This new battlefield requires constant vigilance and increased coordination across our government and among our allies. With an adaptive enemy that uses our technology against us, we need to constantly assess and address our vulnerabilities, including protecting personal and sensitive military information.

I would ask that you do everything possible to immediately offer assistance to these 100 publicly identified Service members . You have my support in assembling whatever resources are required to help their families navigate this frightening and dangerous situation and mitigate the threat.  This event additionally underscores the reality that in a connected world, we must ensure the integrity of sensitive military information, and arm our Service members with the tools and knowledge they need to constantly protect themselves against future threats. 

Respectfully, I request that you provide information to my office on the specific steps taken to address this situation:

• What actions are currently being taken to protect these Service members and their families who have been publicly identified?

• When will each family be provided with a specific assessment on additional measures they need to protect themselves, their families and their homes?

• Who is leading the response for the U.S. government, and are we developing a coordinated, interagency plan to address the issue? Does this plan include engagement with state and local law enforcement officials? When will this plan be complete?

• What steps are you taking to ensure the information of our Service members is adequately protected?

• Published reports indicate much of this personal information was readily available through U.S. Government websites and military media outreach. Does DoD have a process for monitoring social media and other Internet platforms to better ensure operational security, and to suggest ways our military units and individual Service members might better protect themselves? 

I thank you for your prompt attention to these issues, and pledge my support as we work together to address the safety and wellbeing of all of America’s military men and women and their families.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Warner

U.S. Senator