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In international intelligence operations, there is nothing more beguiling than a computer hard drive. Computers log an immense amount of information on their hard drives, and this information can be difficult to dispose of permanently so as not to fall into the wrong hands.

While it is a well-known common sense fact that computer hard drives need to be erased before being repurposed or disposed of, in reality, it doesn’t always happen. Computer users can get lazy, distracted or too busy to properly dispose of the data. Even if they do erase the drive, advanced techniques can still recover the data unless the drive is thoroughly degaussed. These situations are like striking gold for intelligence agents trying to increase their knowledge base of the other side.

This was never more true than in the War Against Terror. The common impression of al Qaeda and the Taliban is that of disorganized groups of militants with rudimentary weapons and tools, however, the reality is that both groups have used computers extensively throughout the conflict.

Traditional methods of intelligence gathering have not worked as they have in the past, namely intercepting communications and physical identification. Both al Qaeda and the Taliban have improved signal scrambling to the point where it is difficult to intercept and interpret messages. The nature of the war makes physical identification a challenge as enemy movements are camouflaged and take place under the proverbial radar.

On the other hand, al Qaeda and Taliban computers captured by American intelligence in the war have yielded a wealth of information about subversive activities both on the international stage and in the United States itself. Raids on al Qaeda strongholds have produced computer hard drives that contain strategic information including troop movements, planned attacks, and a plentitude of information on the identities and movements of major players in the war.

Because of intercepted computer data, coalition forces have been able to disable supply networks, cutting off the flow of weapons and tools to insurgents. They have also been able to use the information to supply proof of connections between individuals and to get a better understanding of the enemy’s strategy and command structure.

Although intelligence gathering in war has existed for thousands of years, the era of the computer, along with users’ lack of care and security around data, has made it possible to gather more strategic information about the other side than ever before.

Computers can be a valuable tool in organizing a war effort but they can also be valuable to the other side when data is left to be recovered. Computers are increasingly capable of holding vast amounts of sensitive information and are far easier to capture than rooms full of filing cabinets. Information has become the most valuable commodity of war and intelligence gathering has evolved from agents sneaking around spying on the enemy to interpreting the data they carelessly leave behind.