The FBI is the lead investigative agency in countering the threat posed by hostile intelligence services operating within the United States. Although the "Cold War" officially ended in the late 1980's, intelligence gathering activities by foreign governments within this country have actually increased. The type of information sought has expanded from the classic military secrets to a wide variety of areas including new and emerging communication and computer technologies, medical and pharmaceutical research, economic data and trends, etc.
How are these foreign countries attempting to gather this information? A variety of methods are being used. One of the most often used methods is sending highly trained, professional intelligence officers to the United States posing as diplomats, students, visitors and businessmen. Considering the huge number of individuals who come to this country every year, it is a daunting task for the FBI to determine which people are here for legitimate purposes and which came to this country for the purpose of intelligence gathering activities.
Another favorite method is the use of "cooptees". A cooptee is an individual who is not a trained intelligence officer but is directed to gather information on behalf of their respective governments. Often these individuals are forced to perform these tasks as a condition for allowing them to travel overseas, in exchange for government financial assistance in their education, or due to threats against family members who remain back in their home countries. Even though these individuals are not career intelligence officers, because of their access to information of value, they can cause significant damage to the United States.
Not all intelligence gathering activities are geared towards the gathering of information. A significant amount of time is devoted to the assessment and recruitment of individuals (normally U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens) who hold key positions in the government or the private sector and have access to the information sought. Recent espionage cases have been prosecuted which have proven that foreign governments have successfully recruited individuals to provide highly classified or sensitive information from branches of the U.S. military services and U.S. government agencies.
The mission of the FBI is to determine who is engaging in intelligence gathering activities, what their target is and what methods are being used. At that time, following the procedures as set forth in the Attorney General Guidelines, an investigation is opened. The purpose of the investigation, which can involve the use of highly sophisticated techniques, is to neutralize the threat, eliminate the access to the information sought or even to provide disinformation.
Economic espionage has been one of the hottest new growth industries of the last part of the twentieth century and by all indications it will continue well into the future. The United States is the world's acknowledged technology leader, investing $250 billion a year in research and with the world's espionage efforts now having expanded from military related secrets to advanced technology in all areas, the United States has become the world's single biggest target for industrial spies.
While military secrets and advanced, defense related technology still remain the crown jewels in the technology treasure house, the world's industrial spies are now eagerly seeking advanced technology in many non-traditional fields. The U. S. has now enacted tough new laws to help industry combat this new and growing threat. With the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, both foreign and domestic industrial spies face up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The new law also provides for the protection of the targeted technology, patents or other proprietary information. Under the new law, proprietary information that was the target of industrial espionage is no longer required to be revealed in court and more victimized companies are coming forward to assist in the identification and prosecution of spies in all areas of advanced technology.
ANSIR (Awareness of National Security Issues and Response) is the FBI's public voice for national security issues. Each FBI field office has an ANSIR coordinator who acts as a point of contact for individuals and businesses in their respective areas. Connected via e-mail, they send out National Threat and Warning Advisories on pertinent events as they occur. ANSIR is available on-line via its homepage under the special interests section of LEO (Law Enforcement on Line). Businesses and individuals may join by contacting the National ANSIR Coordinator at FBI Headquarters in Washington D. C. via e-mail address: ansir@leo.gov. They will then be referred to the local ANSIR coordinator in their particular area. Local ANSIR coordinators are available for consulting in the areas of espionage (national defense as well as commercial and economic), terrorism, foreign intelligence activities, the national infrastructure and weapons of mass destruction.
