My Threatcon column was posted online today at www.iacsp.com.
You can read the column below:
This year marks a milestone for the InfraGard
program, a critical partnership between the FBI and the private sector.
According
to the FBI, the National InfraGard Program began as a pilot project in 1996
when the Cleveland FBI Field Office asked local computer professionals to
assist the FBI in determining how to better protect critical information
systems in the public and private sectors. From this new partnership, the first
InfraGard chapter was formed to address both cyber and physical threats.
When
InfraGard went national in 2001, then-FBI Director Louis J. Freeh applauded the
success of the program.
“Computer
crime is one of the most dynamic problems the FBI faces today,” Freeh said. ‘I
am proud of the progress we have made in dealing with this problem by
establishing the InfraGard initiative and opening the lines of communication
between the public and private sectors and the law enforcement community. I am
confident that we will continue to work together to further develop the
capabilities to meet the computer crime problem, in all its facets, head on.
Our economy and public safety depend on it.”
The
InfraGard program connects business owners within critical infrastructure to
the FBI and provides education, information sharing, networking, and workshops
on emerging technologies and threats. According to InfraGard.org, vetted
membership includes business executives, entrepreneurs, lawyers, security
personnel, military and government officials, IT professionals, academia and
state and local law enforcement—all dedicated to contributing industry-specific
insight and advancing national security.
The
requirements to be an InfraGard member includes being a U.S. citizen, 18 years
or older. One must be affiliated with a critical infrastructure sector. Members
must consent and pass an FBI security risk assessment and periodic
re-certifications. Members must notify the FBI of any pending criminal matters.
Members must sign and adhere to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement
and agree to adhere to InfraGard’s Code of Ethics and Information Sharing
Policies.
Member
Benefits include:
Access to
InfraGard’s Secure Web Portal, www.infragard.org
FBI
accredited website with secure messaging that promotes communication among
members.
FBI and DHS
threat advisories, intelligence bulletins, analytical reports, and
vulnerability assessments in real time.
Access to
iGuardian, the FBI’s cyber incident reporting tool designed specifically for
the private sector Unique Networking Opportunities.
FBI and
other government agency presentations to InfraGard Member Alliance events •
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) • Peer-to-peer collaboration across InfraGard’s
broad membership.
Information
sharing and relationship building with FBI and law enforcement at all levels
Training and Education • Information Sharing Initiative (ISI) training program.
FBI and
other government security awareness training programs.
Local and
online training and event discounts • Free or discounted local seminar.
Today, the
InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization,
is comprised of 77 chapters—aligned with local FBI field offices—and more than
75,000 members across the United States.
“As
Americans, our lifestyle, economy, and national security are supported by a
complex framework of businesses and services,” noted the INMA. “The central
role of these critical infrastructures and key resources (CIKR), makes them
especially vulnerable as targets for both physical and cyber-attacks. The
mission FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the U.S. Constitution.
Our vision is to remain ahead of the threat through leadership, agility and
integration.
“In an era
where threats to our country and risks to private enterprise are escalating and
intersecting, building mutual respect and cooperation between the FBI and the
private sector has never been more important. The majority of infrastructure in
the U.S. is owned and operated by the private sector; therefore, cultivating
partnerships and incorporating key industry stakeholders is crucial to support
the government in protecting critical infrastructure. InfraGard provides a
vehicle for seamless public/private collaboration; expedites the timely
exchange of information; and promotes mutual learning opportunities relevant to
CIKR defense.”
The INMA
said it leverages the expertise of a wide range of private sector partners who
own, operate, and hold key positions within approximately 85 percent of the
nation’s critical infrastructure. The INMA said its InfraGard’s subject matter
experts include business executives, entrepreneurs, lawyers, military and
government officials, IT professionals, security personnel, academia, and state
and local law enforcement. Each of them is dedicated to contributing
industry-specific insight and advancing national security. Through this
partnership, the INMA noted, both the FBI and private sector gain an improved
understanding of the threatscape and share valuable intelligence.
“We are
grateful to our hundreds of volunteers, our thousands of dedicated members and
our FBI partners for making InfraGard the valuable organization it is and for
being such an incredible asset to America’s national security,” said Maureen
O’Connell, the President of the InfraGard National Members Alliance. In
Paul Davis,
a longtime contributor to the Journal, writes the IACSP online Threatcon
column.
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