The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of his employer.
OPINION — In an era when terrorist tactics evolve at the speed of technology, the U.S. cannot afford to rely on outdated, reactive counterterrorism strategies. The shifting nature of threats has made a forward-thinking approach not just preferable, but essential—one that leverages emerging technologies to anticipate, disrupt, and neutralize threats before they materialize. The Applied Counterterrorism Technology Strategy (ACTS) is my proposed framework to achieve this, bridging technological innovation with strategic policy to enhance national security. While this terminology is new, the urgency behind it is not. Experts across the counterterrorism and cybersecurity landscape, including those contributing to The Cipher Brief, have recognized the necessity of proactive solutions in this rapidly evolving threat environment.
Terrorist organizations leverage encrypted messaging, cryptocurrency, and social media to evade detection, recruit followers, and fund operations. Meanwhile, U.S. counterterrorism efforts remain largely reactive, constrained by post-incident investigations and slow bureaucratic adaptation. This imbalance has created a dangerous gap—one that ACTS seeks to close by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and advanced cyber capabilities into a proactive security model.
The Case for ACTS: A Necessary Evolution
The modern terrorist threat is not bound by geography. Digital platforms have enabled decentralized, borderless operations, where propaganda, radicalization, and even cyberattacks can occur remotely. Traditional counterterrorism measures—primarily military responses and intelligence tracking—struggle to keep pace with this evolving landscape.
ACTS represents a fundamental shift: leveraging predictive analytics to identify threats in their earliest stages, deploying AI-driven surveillance to disrupt radicalization efforts, and using autonomous technologies for real-time intelligence gathering. By embracing these capabilities, we can preemptively weaken terrorist networks rather than merely responding to attacks after they occur.
However, implementing ACTS requires a recalibration of policy and funding priorities. Rather than disproportionately investing in post-incident military operations, the U.S. must direct resources toward predictive security measures that integrate AI-powered intelligence platforms, automated threat assessments, and cyber-defense strategies. This is not about replacing traditional counterterrorism but enhancing it through a strategic, forward-leaning approach.
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Public-Private Partnerships: A Force Multiplier
No single entity—governmental or private—can win this fight alone. Technology companies, particularly those in AI and cybersecurity, are at the forefront of innovation. Their data, expertise, and infrastructure provide crucial tools for counterterrorism. However, the collaboration between public and private sectors has been sporadic at best, often hindered by legal and bureaucratic roadblocks.
ACTS proposes a more deliberate and structured partnership model, ensuring real-time intelligence sharing, coordinated threat analysis, and joint development of security technologies. The private sector’s ability to innovate rapidly must be matched by a policy environment that incentivizes cooperation and breaks down barriers to collaboration.
Congress has already recognized the importance of technology in national security through bipartisan efforts to modernize cyber defenses, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and AI-related defense funding initiatives. However, these efforts remain largely fragmented. A comprehensive strategy—one that unifies these investments into an anticipatory approach like ACTS—is essential to staying ahead of emerging threats.
This is not just a matter of national security but a strategic necessity: adversaries are innovating, and our counterterrorism efforts must do the same. Recent cyberattacks, digital disinformation campaigns, and AI-powered deepfake propaganda are clear indications that the battlefield has already expanded into the digital domain. Without a structured mechanism for intelligence sharing and technological integration, the U.S. risks falling behind.
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Ethical and Policy Considerations
Proactive counterterrorism must be balanced with democratic values. The increased use of AI-driven surveillance and data aggregation raises concerns about civil liberties. ACTS must be governed by strict oversight mechanisms, transparent data policies, and clear accountability structures to ensure these tools are used responsibly.
Existing legal approaches are insufficient to address these concerns. The current regulatory environment has not kept pace with technological advancements, leaving gaps in oversight and clarity on the limits of government surveillance. A comprehensive policy update is needed—one that defines the ethical use of AI in national security, establishes clear data privacy protections, and ensures congressional oversight in intelligence operations.
The U.S. government has taken positive steps to address AI’s role in national security, with the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) issuing recommendations on responsible AI deployment. ACTS aligns with these discussions but goes further in ensuring the integration of AI into a broader counterterrorism strategy that is ethical, effective, and adaptive—without stifling innovation or restricting the technological advancements necessary to maintain a competitive edge against adversaries.
A Call to Action
The stakes are clear: if we fail to adapt, we risk falling behind adversaries who are rapidly exploiting technology to their advantage. The U.S. must fully embrace a proactive counterterrorism model—one that prioritizes technology, fosters strategic partnerships, and redefines how we approach national security in the digital age.
ACTS is not just an abstract policy proposal; it is a necessary, actionable framework designed to close the widening gap between emerging threats and our current security capabilities. This is not a theoretical discussion—it is a call for immediate action. By investing in innovation today, we can deter tomorrow’s threats, safeguard our security, and ensure that counterterrorism remains one step ahead of those who seek to do us harm. National security leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators must come together to implement this vision now—before adversaries dictate the future for us.
The Cipher Brief is committed to publishing a range of perspectives on national security issues submitted by deeply experienced national security professionals. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views or opinions of The Cipher Brief.
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