T C.2: Tools, Technologies, and Services

Improve the delivery of existing tools, technologies, and services, and develop and deliver new technologies, tools, and services to investigators and analysts.

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Keeping abreast of advancing technologies is critical to empower our employees in their duties and to thwart the technical capabilities of our adversaries. The anticipated growth in the number of Internet users, continued consumer demand for broadband technologies, and the mobility associated with wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) and Third Generation Wireless systems which converge voice communications and Internet access, requires constant vigilance by the FBI. The number of broadband households in the United States is growing at a rate of about 100 percent per year, from 6.2 million in 2000 to an estimated 34.7 million by the end of 2004. This higher bandwidth access increases by about 50 percent the volume of material looked at and, as a result, the volume of data intercepts and potential evidence also increases. Changes in cellular technology recently caused the Federal Communications Commission to announce plans to phase out all analog systems within three to five years. Also, the increasing emphasis on digital connectivity and electronic commerce has been a catalyst for the introduction of stronger, more user-friendly data protection (e.g., encryption technology) and destruction systems. While this is beneficial for legitimate users, others have taken advantage of this technology to conceal or destroy evidence. The FBI must expand its efforts to make critical technology leaps by aggressively exploring, developing, and delivering significant new, even “generation-skipping,” technologies, operational capabilities, tools, and services. These efforts include, but are not limited to, those pertaining to computer-based evidence; communications; facial recognition; audio, visual, and imaging forensics; tactical operations, and surveillance operations. Priority Actions: Increase the level of technical support to investigations involving intercepted electronic information employing data protection. Expand capacity to provide field investigators with body recorders; data and communications interception and dissemination equipment; audio sensor systems; and video equipment. Meet investigators’ demand for physical surveillance/tracking and audio/ video/image enhancement tools. Enhance investigators’ capacity to conduct physical surveillance and tracking operations. Improve capabilities to compromise security and countermeasure devices confronted during entry and search operations.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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