Islamic State Hacking Division

Islamic State Hacking Division
Also known asUnited Cyber Caliphate
Foundation2014
Dates of operation2014–Present
Allegiance Islamic State
StatusActive

The Islamic State Hacking Division (ISHD) or The United Cyber Caliphate (UCC) is a merger of several hacker groups self-identifying as the digital army for the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS/ISIL). The unified organization comprises at least four distinct groups, including the Ghost Caliphate Section, Sons Caliphate Army (SCA), Caliphate Cyber Army (CCA), and the Kalashnikov E-Security Team. Other groups potentially involved with the United Cyber Caliphate are the Pro-ISIS Media group Rabitat Al-Ansar (League of Supporters) and the Islamic Cyber Army (ICA).[1] Evidence does not support the direct involvement of the Islamic State leadership. It suggests external and independent coordination of Pro-ISIS cyber campaigns under the United Cyber Caliphate (UCC) name.[2] Investigations also display alleged links to Russian Intelligence group, APT28, using the name as a guise to wage war against western nations.[3][4]

  1. ^ Alkhouri, Laith (2016). "Hacking for ISIS: The Emergent Cyber Threat Landscape" (PDF). Flashpoint. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  2. ^ Alexander, Audrey (April 2019). "Doxing and Defacements: Examining the Islamic State's Hacking Capabilities". CTC Sentinel. 12 (4). Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2020-12-08 – via Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
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  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).