C: Espionage
Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage. Other Information:
Situation: The foreign intelligence threat within the United States is far more complex than it has ever been historically.
The threat is increasingly asymmetrical insofar as it comes not only from traditional foreign intelligence services but also
from non-traditional, non-state actors who operate from decentralized organizations. Intelligence collection is no longer
limited to classified national defense information but now includes targeting of the elements of national power, including
our national economic interests. Moreover, foreign intelligence tradecraft is increasingly sophisticated and takes full advantage
of advances in communications security and the general openness of U.S. society. In short, the foreign intelligence threat
is more challenging than ever. In the fall of 2003, the Foreign Counterintelligence Program had investigations involving dozens
of countries that focused on hundreds of known or suspected intelligence officers who were assigned to enter or travel within
the United States. These investigations spanned all 56 field offices. In order to meet these challenges, the Foreign Counterintelligence
Program is being redesigned to become more nationally focused and directed. Through a more centralized program, the FBI will
ensure its ability to establish priorities, be more proactive, and better engage other Intelligence Community agencies so
that cooperation in important cases is immediate and seamless. A centralized program will also ensure that infrastructure
issues will be consistently addressed and coordinated in order to ensure workforce expertise, that staffing matches the articulated
foreign intelligence threat, and that a sufficiently broad and reliable intelligence base is developed. From this foundation,
the Foreign Counterintelligence Program will be positioned to achieve its strategic objectives and ultimately reach its goal
to prevent harm to the United States through foreign intelligence activity inimical to U.S. interests. During the past year,
the Foreign Counterintelligence Program has been invigorated by the introduction of a new and innovative National Strategy
for Counterintelligence and a Program Plan, both of which are proactive in emphasis. At the same time, additional resources
were introduced to the program. To enhance counterintelligence workforce expertise, a new four-week Counterintelligence Operations
course was developed. All Special Agents assigned to the Counterintelligence Program are required to successfully complete
this course. Computer-based distance learning courses are also available to all personnel on a variety of counterintelligence
topics. A counterintelligence training course for midlevel and executive managers was also initiated, covering topics in both
the tactical and strategic areas of counterintelligence management. The FBI plays an essential role in the U.S. Government’s
counterintelligence efforts and has the responsibility to produce domestic foreign intelligence in support of other members
of the Intelligence Community. The FBI also has the responsibility to oversee the integration of domestic law enforcement
and intelligence efforts to address intelligence threats in support of DCI imperatives. Our counterintelligence strategy involves
centrally-managed, proactive, and nationally-directed initiatives, with prioritized and strategic objectives that support
DCI imperatives, overseen by experienced and innovative Headquarters managers. Success for the Foreign Counterintelligence
Program will be reflected in the extent to which we are able to: (1) identify the objectives, the assets, and the operations
of foreign intelligence services operating in the United States; (2) disrupt the operations of those foreign intelligence
services; and (3) change the behavior of targeted institutions and individuals to minimize opportunities for their exploitation.
Objective(s):
|
