Skip to content

Discerning Data

  • About Us
  • Additional Resources
  • Contact Us

DISCERNING DATA

A Faegre Drinker Blog Covering the Latest in Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Strategy

  • Privacy
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Strategy
  • Disruptionware

Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force Assesses Cyber Threats and Response Efforts in New Report

Share

The Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force has released its first report, which provides a detailed assessment of the cyber threats facing the United States and discusses the ways the Department of Justice (DOJ) is combatting and preparing to combat those threats.

The DOJ Cyber-Digital Task Force was established in February 2018 and was directed to answer two fundamental questions: (1) how is DOJ responding to global cyber threats, and (2) how can federal law enforcement accomplish its mission in the cyber area more effectively.

Chapter 1 of the report focuses on threats posed by malign foreign influence operations, which include “covert actions by foreign governments intended to sow division in [American] society, undermine confidence in [American] democratic institutions, and otherwise affect political sentiment and public discourse to achieve strategic geopolitical objectives.” The report discusses various types of foreign influence operations that have targeted U.S. democratic and electoral processes and details DOJ’s framework to counter each of them.

Chapters 2 and 3 discuss other cyber-enabled threats. Chapter 2 describes the most common types of cyber-enabled criminal schemes, including: (1) damage to computer systems (including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and ransomware attacks), (2) data theft (including the theft of personal identifying information and intellectual property), (3) fraud/carding schemes, (4) cyber-enabled crimes threatening personal privacy (including “sextortion,” “revenge porn,” and cyber-enabled harassment), and (5) cyber-enabled crimes threatening critical infrastructure. The report then details common techniques used to facilitate cyber-attacks, including social engineering, malware, botnets, and the use of other criminal infrastructure. Chapter 3 focuses on DOJ’s efforts to detect, deter, and disrupt cyber threats and reviews DOJ’s key investigative techniques and prosecution tools for combatting cyber-enabled crimes.

Chapter 4 focuses on the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in responding to cyber incidents. Specifically, the report details the FBI’s efforts to build relationships with organizations and sectors that are at particular risk for cyber-enabled attacks, as well as the FBI’s efforts to foster better sharing of cyber threat information between the U.S. Government and private industry.

Chapter 5 discusses DOJ’s efforts to recruit and train their personnel on cyber matters.

Finally, Chapter 6 identifies several challenges for DOJ in its ongoing efforts to combat cyber-enabled attacks. In addition, the report lists key areas where DOJ and the Task Force intend to focus in the future, which include: enhancing effective collaboration with the private sector, addressing encryption and anonymity, addressing malign foreign influence operations, preparing for emerging and future technology, and strengthening DOJ’s tools and authorities for combatting cyber-enabled crimes.

The establishment of the Attorney General’s Task Force and the release of its first report serve to reinforce the high priority that DOJ currently is placing on combatting, investigating, and prosecuting cyber-enabled crimes. Given this priority status, it can reasonably be expected that the number of cyber-focused investigations and criminal prosecutions – involving both domestic and international criminal actors – will continue to increase in 2018 and beyond.

A copy of the Task Force report can be accessed here.

The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.

About the Author: Peter Baldwin

Peter Baldwin draws on his experience as a former federal prosecutor to counsel clients facing government investigations and cybersecurity issues. View Peter's full bio on the Faegre Drinker website.

Receive Email Alerts to New Articles

SUBSCRIBE

August 1, 2018
Written by: Peter Baldwin
Category: Cybersecurity, Privacy
Tags: Attorney General, Cyber-Digital Task Force, cyberattack, data privacy, DDos, department of justice, DOJ, FBI, security

Post navigation

Previous Previous post: Is There a “Tech” Bureau in the FTC’s Future?
Next Next post: Digital Medicine: Health Care Providers’ Side of the Story

Search the Blog

Sign Up for Email Alerts

PODCASTS

Faegre Drinker on Law and Technology

©2023 Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. All Rights Reserved. Lawyer Advertising.

  • About Us
  • Additional Resources
  • Contact Us
We use cookies to improve your experience with our website. By browsing our site, you are agreeing to the use of cookies. For more information about how we use cookies, please review our privacy policy and cookie policy. OK
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT