US Secret Service Dallas Division
Since its inception in 1865, the United States Secret Service was created to investigate and prevent counterfeiting. Today the agency’s investigative mission has evolved from enforcing counterfeiting laws to safeguarding the payment and financial systems of the United States from a wide range of financial and computer-based crimes. To combat these crimes, the Secret Service has adopted a proactive approach, using advanced technologies and capitalizing on the power of task for partnerships.
The Secret Service is committed to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and financial payment systems from cyber criminals. In 2001, the USA Patriot Act mandated the Secret Service establish a national network of Electronic Crimes Task Forces (ECTFs) to prevent, detect, and investigate various forms of electronic crimes including cybercrime. Today, the Secret Service operates 39 ECTFs, including two based overseas in London, England, and Rome, Italy, as part of this expanding network.
The ECTF model relies on trusted partnerships between the law enforcement community, the private sector, and members of academia to combat cybercrime through information sharing, coordinated investigations, technical expertise, and training. These ECTFs are a strategic alliance of over 4,000 private sector partners; over 2,500 international, federal, state and local law enforcement partners; and over 350 academic partners. Since inception, the ECTFs have prevented over $13 Billion in potential losses to victims and arrested approximately 10,000 individuals. The ECTFs are models for 21st century law enforcement, incorporating partnerships and information to focus on the challenges of combating cybercrime.
