Category: United States of America

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

New Currencies Require the Same Caution

Vallese noted that as the value of certain cryptocurrencies has soared, more people are looking to invest in them. “It’s definitely somewhere people want to be,” he said. “But where there is potential for earning, there is potential for risk and loss.”

While no one can guarantee any investment will retain or gain value, where an investor chooses to hold that investment should have strong protections in place to guard against cyber intrusions and thefts.

“When deciding where to put money, make an informed decision,” Vallese said. “Do your due diligence. Understand if they are a well-established, trusted exchange.” Some important questions to ask are: Where is the exchange located? What kind of security practices are used? What kind of monitoring and regulations are in place?

The FBI is working with a wide array of government and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad to identify and address new cyber threats. The private sector is a key partner in helping gather and share information. And, of course, being aware of cyber threats and taking proper cyber security precautions is the responsibility of every individual.

Even if the investment is a novel one, apply the same rigor as you would with any other financial choice. And as with any online interaction, carefully weigh the possible risks before opening any email, clicking on a link, opening an attachment, or downloading an application.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Director Christopher Wray has named Michael A. Christman as assistant director of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division in West Virginia. He most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office.

The CJIS Division provides state-of-the-art tools and services to law enforcement, national security and intelligence community partners, and the general public.

Mr. Christman joined the FBI as a special agent in February 1992. He served on the Safe Streets Task Force in Salt Lake City, targeting violent gangs and Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. He also investigated violent crime and other criminal matters. Mr. Christman transferred to the Cleveland Field Office in 1997 and worked drug and terrorism cases.

In 2005, he was promoted to supervisory special agent and assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He transferred to the Pittsburgh Field Office in 2007, where he supervised violent crime, violent gang, drug, and organized crime programs. He also led the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force.

Mr. Christman was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of Criminal, Intelligence, and Administrative Programs in Pittsburgh in 2014. He was put in charge of Pittsburgh’s Cyber and Intelligence Programs in 2015. Two years later, he was promoted to chief of a Cyber Operations section at Headquarters that managed all of the FBI’s cyber-criminal investigations. He also chaired the International Cyber Crimes Working Group.

In 2018, Mr. Christman was named the deputy assistant director of the CJIS Division’s Operational Programs Branch. He was named special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office in 2020.

Prior to his appointment with the FBI, Mr. Christman worked for the city prosecutor’s office in Akron, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Akron.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Later today, FBI Executive Assistant Director Darrin Jones will participate in a panel discussing the impact of end-to end encryption on lawful access and public safety during the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto, Japan, streaming from 9:30 – 11:00 p.m. EST.
 
The virtual panel will bring together international leaders from law enforcement, cyber security, national security, and child safety arenas to discuss their efforts to address the lawful access to encrypted data challenge that continues to systemically undermine the public safety mission. 
 
EAD Jones, who leads the FBI’s scientific, operational technology, and criminal justice information sharing programs, will discuss the escalating risk posed by the lawful access to encrypted data challenge, which impedes the investigation and prevention of serious crimes such as online child exploitation and sexual abuse. His remarks underscore the shared interests between law enforcement and industry to ensure aggressive support and recommended use of strong, but responsibly managed encryption.
 
EAD Jones will also highlight the importance of continued cooperation and partnership in the international law enforcement community that is vital to address public safety and the national security challenges presented by modern communication services, applications, and devices.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

Director Christopher Wray has named Bryan A. Vorndran as the assistant director of the Cyber Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington. Most recently, Mr. Vorndran served as the special agent in charge of the New Orleans Field Office.

Mr. Vorndran joined the FBI as a special agent in 2003. He was first assigned to the Washington Field Office, where he primarily investigated criminal enterprises trafficking cocaine and heroin. In 2008, he spent five months as part of the International Contract Corruption Task Force in Afghanistan. He was promoted to supervisory special agent in 2009 and was assigned to the Counterterrorism Division at Headquarters; he was promoted to unit chief in 2012.

In 2013, Mr. Vorndran was named to lead the Washington Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. He was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the cyber and counterintelligence programs at the Baltimore Field Office in 2016. The next year, he was promoted to chief of the Strategic Operations Section of the Counterterrorism Division at Headquarters.

Mr. Vorndran was named a deputy assistant director of the Criminal Investigative Division in 2018. As a deputy, Mr. Vorndran oversaw FBI programs intended to help dismantle transnational criminal organizations impacting the United States, combat violent and gang-related violent crimes, and counter crimes against children.

In 2019, Mr. Vorndran was named the special agent in charge of the New Orleans Field Office.

Before joining the Bureau, Mr. Vorndran was an engineer for The Procter & Gamble Co. and for Merck & Co. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Lafayette College in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 2012.