Integrating Intelligence and Operations

The FBI is both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency. Our mission is to protect and defend the U.S. against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats; to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States; and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.

Intelligence is the tool we use to help focus and strengthen our law enforcement, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence missions. We employ a number of other core tools as well, including investigative techniques, forensics, information technologies, and strategic partnerships.

As a core tool, intelligence is an integral part of FBI operations. It is embedded in our day-to-day work, from the initiation of law enforcement investigations to the development of long-term threat assessments that guide our strategic planning. Our ability to integrate intelligence into every component of the FBI gives us the ability to protect our national security.

The FBI has a mandate from Congress, the President, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to protect national security by producing intelligence in support of its own investigative mission, national intelligence priorities, and the needs of other customers.

For an example of how we blend investigations and intelligence, see the Case of the Terrorist Financier and Foiled Assassination Plot.