What is the National Infrastructure Protection Center?

On May 22, 1998, President Clinton signed into policy, Presidential Decision Directive 63, which mandates that the National Infrastructure Protection Center, also known as NIPC, assures the continuity and viability of our country's Critical Infrastructures.  Thereby, establishing that the United States will take all necessary measures to swiftly eliminate any significant vulnerability to both physical and cyber attacks on our nation's critical infrastructures, especially our nation's cyber-based systems.

Consequently, the FBI's Miami Office Cyber Crimes Investigation Team in conjunction with the National Infrastructure Protection Center, and with the concurrence of the United States Attorney's Office, investigates violations of:

• 18 U.S.C. §1030 - Fraud and related activity in connection with computer systems
• 18 U.S.C. §1029 - Fraud and related activities in connection with access devices
• 18 U.S.C. §1362 - Malicious mischief as it relates to communication lines, stations, or systems
• 18 U.S.C. §1366 - Malicious mischief as it relates to the damage or destruction of energy facilities
• 18 U.S.C. §2319 - Criminal infringement of copyright
• 18 U.S.C. §2320 - Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services
• The Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986
• The National Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 1996

Examples of such a violation could include, but are not limited to, the impairment, intrusion or theft of a governmental, financial, or most medical and federal interest computer system, by traditional criminal means, or by a foreign power or terrorist groups.  Other types of computer violations which the FBI investigates include:

• Intrusions of public switched networks (telephonic systems)
• Network integrity violations
• Industrial espionage
• Crimes where the computer is a major factor in committing a criminal offense

Miami's Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) The Miami Computer Analysis Response Team is made up of some of the finest computer forensic professionals in the country. This team is responsible for the collection, processing and the preservation of computer and computer related evidence related to both FBI and other law enforcement agency case work.

I n f r a G a r d The National InfraGard Program began as a pilot project in 1996, when the Cleveland FBI Field Office asked local computer security 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. Thus, InfraGard is a membership organization which enhances relationships, trust, and two way information sharing between industry and law enforcement through a Neighborhood Watch" environment.

Benefits of participating in the InfraGard Program are: Forum for members to communicate Prompt dissemination of threat warnings Help in protecting computer systems Education and training on infrastructure vulnerabilities A community that shares information in a trusted environment Click here to lean more about InfraGard.

What can you do. . .?

If you have information concerning:

• an instance where a computer was the target of an apparent criminal act?
• an instance in which someone accessed or damaged a computer, or stole information from a computer?
• an instance where a computer was used as a tool to commit a crime (i.e. bank fraud, interstate transportation of obscene material, or espionage)?


or any other matter related to knowledge of computer fraud and abuse, please contact the Miami Office of the FBI by calling (305) 944-9101 or (954)-463-9111 and ask to speak to a computer crimes investigator.

Critical Infrastructures:

Those physical and cyber-based systems essential to the minimum operation of the economy and government of the United States of America. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Telecommunication
• Electric Energy
• Banking and Finance
• Transportation
• Water Supply Systems
• Emergency Services
• Governmental Operations
• Gas and Oil Storage and Delivery

Return to the section containing the term: "Critical Infrastructures"

Federal Interest:

Those computers defined by law as; two or more computers, each located in different states, utilized in a criminal offense.
Return to the section containing the term: "Federal Interest"