| The purpose of this article is to familiarize | | | | Cyber Division of the FBI in 2003. InfraGard |
| individuals with InfraGard, which is an | | | | now focuses on more than the "cyber arena". |
| organization whose purpose is to help protect | | | | InfraGard now also deals with the exchange of |
| "critical United States infrastructures". | | | | information concerning various terrorism, |
| This article will describe the organization, | | | | intelligence, criminal, and security |
| its mission and goals, and how individuals | | | | matters.InfraGard Goal |
| and organizations can become involved with | | | | |
| their work. The "2005 FBI Computer Crime | | | | The goal of InfraGard is to promote |
| Survey" indicated that 90% of organizations | | | | communication between members and the FBI. |
| are not familiar with InfraGard.About | | | | InfraGard members gain access to information |
| InfraGard | | | | that enables them to protect their assets and |
| | | | in turn give information to government that |
| InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI | | | | helps it to prevent and address terrorism and |
| (Federal Bureau of Investigation), and the | | | | other crimes.What Does InfraGard Do? |
| private sector. The mission of InfraGard is | | | | |
| "...to improve and extend information sharing | | | | InfraGard is an alliance between the FBI and |
| between private industry and the government, | | | | the private sector (businesses, academic |
| particularly the FBI, when it comes to | | | | institutions, state and local law enforcement |
| critical national infrastructures" (Source: | | | | agencies, and other participants). InfraGard |
| InfraGard web site). President Clinton | | | | is an association dedicated to sharing both |
| defined "critical national infrastructures" | | | | information and intelligence with the goal of |
| in 1998 in the following way - "Critical | | | | preventing hostile acts against the United |
| infrastructures are those physical and | | | | States.InfraGard Organization |
| cyber-based systems essential to the minimum | | | | |
| operations of the economy and government. | | | | InfraGard is organized into chapters that |
| These systems are so vital, that their | | | | are geographically linked with FBI Field |
| incapacity or destruction would have a | | | | Offices. Each InfraGard Chapter has an |
| debilitating impact on the defense or | | | | associated FBI Special Agent Coordinator who |
| economic security of the United States."The | | | | helps to form the chapter and coordinate |
| infrastructures that InfraGard is concerned | | | | activities.InfraGard chapters hold regular |
| with protecting include: | | | | meetings where members discuss issues, |
| | | | threats, and other matters that may impact |
| | | | their companies. Chapters have speakers from |
| | | | public and private agencies and the law |
| Agriculture | | | | enforcement community.Membership |
| | | | |
| Banking/Finance | | | | Individuals who wish to become members |
| | | | should apply at local chapter meetings. The |
| Chemical | | | | FBI requires photo identification with an |
| | | | application. All applicants will undergo a |
| Computer Security | | | | background check performed by the FBI. |
| | | | Membership is limited to United States |
| Defense | | | | citizens.According to InfraGard, 68 of the |
| | | | top 100 firms in the Fortune 500 have an |
| Emergency Services | | | | InfraGard representative. There are currently |
| | | | over 13,000 InfraGard members.Related Links |
| Energy | | | | |
| | | | Following are some related links that may be |
| Food | | | | helpful: |
| | | | |
| Postal/Shipping | | | | InfraGard Web Site: |
| | | | |
| Public Health | | | | Internet Crime Complaint Center: |
| | | | |
| Transportation | | | | OnGuard Online: |
| | | | |
| Telecommunications | | | | Staysafeonline.org: |
| | | | |
| Water Supply | | | | Rob Pirozzi is a freelance writer who |
| | | | provides timely, quality professional writing |
| InfraGard is an FBI program that was started | | | | of all types. He is also the publisher of the |
| in 1996 in the Cleveland Field Office. It | | | | web site which provides information on |
| initially focused only on the cyber arena. | | | | low-cost computers and low-cost or free |
| Since then, program responsibility has | | | | software for the average home or small |
| transferred to the National Infrastructure | | | | business computer user. |
| Protection Center (NIPC) and then to the | | | | |