Emerging Trends in ICT Security Chapter 35. Investigating Radicalized Individual Profiles through Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

The use of cyberspace to disseminate radical materials and messages has become the predominant method used by extremists to recruit and radicalize individuals to their cause. The phenomenon of online radicalization is increasing, presenting pressing security concerns. In direct response to the emerging threats and risks arising from online radicalization, global efforts are being made to monitor and disrupt contemporary cyber avenues of terrorist recruitment. Individuals, particularly young computer-literate males, are becoming self-radicalized through access to sophisticated online materials promoting and justifying extreme views and actions. The detection of these self-radicalized individuals is challenging. This chapter outlines a computational approach based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) for the identification of radicalized individuals online. The model aims to inform and support the classification of individual profiles to tackle terrorist activities in the future.