Cyber Strategies and Collaboration at FBI

On October 7, Matt Gorham, the Assistant Director of FBI’s Cyber Division sat down with INSA’s Vice President for Policy, Larry Hanauer, for a discussion on the FBI’s new strategy for countering cyber threats, the role of the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF), and the value of information sharing and collaboration between the Bureau and it’s many domestic and foreign partners.

Mr. Gorham discussed the FBI’s role and responsibilities in cyber security, which involve conducting investigations, collecting intelligence, and engaging partners with a focus on attribution. He shared that the FBI Cyber Division’s mission is to “impose risk and consequences on cyber adversaries through our unique authorities, world class capabilities and enduring partnerships built on a century of innovation.”

Describing ‘cyber’ as a team sport, Mr. Gorham emphasized the need to come together to impose maximum consequences on our Nation's adversaries. He highlighted the value of the NCIJTF, which serves as a multi-agency cyber center fostering whole-of-government campaigns against threat actors to collectively and effectively deter nefarious cyber actors and activity.

Watch the Recording!

In response to questions about the principal reforms included in the new strategy, Mr. Gorham described the FBI’s cybersecurity strategy as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and explained it as a broad framework that also includes more focused, threat specific strategies. The discussion also called attention to the new FBI campus in Huntsville, Alabama, which will become a center of excellence in cybersecurity and analytics.

Mr. Gorham expressed his complete confidence in the ability of the FBI and the NCIJTF to share actionable intelligence effectively and efficiently with domestic and international partners. He concluded the discussion by stressing the importance of establishing robust and enduring relationships with the private sector at both the national and local level and encouraging industry partners to alert law enforcement in the case of any cyber incidence.