For Immediate Release
January
5, 2001
|
Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
|
The
FBI and the National Infrastructure Protection Center Publically
Introduce the National InfraGard Program
The Federal Bureau
of Investigation and the National Infrastructure Protection
Center (NIPC), located at FBI Headquarters, introduced today
the National InfraGard Program to the public.
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.
The NIPC, in
conjunction with representatives from the private industry,
the academic community, and the public sector, further developed
the "InfraGard" initiative to expand direct contacts
with the private sector infrastructure owners and operators
and to share information about cyber intrusions, exploited
vulnerabilities, and infrastructure threats. The initiative,
encouraging the exchange of information by government and
private sector members, continued to expand through the
formation of additional InfraGard chapters, within the jurisdiction
of each FBI Field Office. As of this date, all 56 field
offices of the FBI have opened an InfraGard chapter, with
a total of 518 company members across the nation.
The National
InfraGard Program provides four basic services to its members:
an intrusion alert network using encrypted e-mail; a secure
website for communication about suspicious activity or intrusions;
local chapter activities and a help desk for questions.
The critical component of InfraGard is the ability of industry
to provide information on intrusions to the local FBI Field
Office using secure communications in both a "sanitized"
and detailed format. The local FBI Field Offices can, if
appropriate, use the detailed version to initiate an investigation;
while the NIPC at FBI Headquarters can analyze that information
to determine if the intrusion is a broader attack on numerous
sites. The NIPC can simultaneously use the sanitized version
to inform other members of the intrusion without compromising
the confidentiality of the reporting company. In addition,
the secure website contains a variety of analytic and warning
products that can be made available to the InfraGard community.
"The InfraGard
Program allows law enforcement and industry to work together
and share information regularly, including information that
could prevent potential intrusions into our national infrastructure,"
said Attorney General Janet Reno. "Building bridges
between law enforcement and the public and private sector
is one of the most important ways we can protect ourselves
from these threats."
FBI Director
Louis J. Freeh also applauds the success of the National
InfraGard Program: "Computer crime is one of the most
dynamic problems the FBI faces today. 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."
For additional
information about the National InfraGard Program or infrastructure
protection, please contact your local FBI Field Office.
For additional information about the National Infrastructure
Protection Center, please inquire via e-mail at nipc@fbi.gov.
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