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Protecting the nation from cyber-based attacks and high-tech crime is high on the priority list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). My Harrison, special agent in charge of the bureau's middle and western districts of Tennessee, explains that the FBI's fifty-six field offices take their work very seriously. A twenty-two-year employee, Harrison has headed the Memphis-based field office for two years.
Harrison notes that the FBI has progressed from a primarily reactive criminal investigative agency to a proactive, intelligence-driven group. "Before 9/11 we focused on tangibles like indictments, arrests and convictions. Now we've shifted our focus. We investigate why people do what they do and try to prevent destructive actions."
The formal list of FBI responsibilities includes protecting and defending against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, upholding and enforcing criminal laws, and providing leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal and international agencies and partners.
Of some 30,000 FBI employees nationwide, 18,000 are support pros, including intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, IT folks and more. All FBI positions require at least a top secret security clearance.
The FBI's applied science, engineering and technology professionals are at the cutting edge of advances in forensic science, communications technology, electronic surveillance, biometrics and related fields, Harrison says. "We want employees with scientific and technical knowledge and expertise." Typical challenges range from identifying a possible terrorist from a partial fingerprint or a single strand of hair, to analyzing conversations of a suspected criminal, to performing lawfully authorized searches.
"With the evolution of the Internet, criminals are more global in reach, technologically mature and communications savvy," says Harrison. No wonder that degreed and experienced computer specialists are in high demand for the FBI's cyber squad.
"The FBI of today is proactive in its investigation of computer crimes," Harrison explains. Cyber crimes include computer intrusions, on-line exploitation of children, intellectual property theft and Internet fraud.
While special agent applicants must be from twenty-three to thirty-six years old, there are no age restrictions for professional support staff. Harrison notes that a computer specialist may eventually move into an investigative role as a special agent. "But at our field office, eighty of our 250 employees are non-gun-carrying support professionals. We offer plenty of opportunity for multiple career paths."
Scott Augenbaum is supervisor special agent for the Memphis division cyber crime squad, headquartered in Nashville, TN. He points to a thirty-six-year-old computer engineer who's on the squad.
"He came from the private sector, wanting to do something for his country. Now he's using his skills and experience to combat cyber crime, helping protect the U.S. government and people."
Not everyone gets into the FBI, Augenbaum says. "We are interested in experienced, career-minded, degreed individuals from many backgrounds."
Both Augenbaum and Harrison recommend that interested techies should attend a local FBI citizen's academy. This is a six-session seminar to introduce the public to the FBI and its many roles.
"You'll get an overview of the FBI and its programs, and you'll meet local FBI agents, support staff and recruiters," Harrison says.
Public awareness can be critical to the success of the FBI's missions. One of the bureau's most effective public programs, InfraGard, was created at the Cleveland field office in 1996. It began as a local effort to gain support from the IT industry and schools for the FBI's investigative efforts in the cyber area.
"Since its creation it has expanded to other field offices and business and industry have become very interested," Harrison says. "Today we have InfraGard representatives stationed at eighty-three of the top 100 firms in the Fortune 500."
The FBI is committed to diversity and inclusion. Last year women and minorities made up more than a quarter of the bureau's global population. Harrison, Augenbaum and their teams attend regional recruiting events including NSBE and SHPE meetings and university career fairs.
"The job here is complex and very intense, but I wake up every single morning looking forward to coming to work," Harrison says.
D/C
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
www.fbijobs.gov
| Headquarters: |
Washington, DC |
| Employees: |
30,658 |
| Budget: |
$6 billion |
| Mission: |
Law enforcement and domestic intelligence |
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