The Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provided a draft of this audit report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI’s response is incorporated in Appendix 2 of this final report. The following provides the OIG analysis of the response and summary of actions necessary to close the report.
Recommendations:
1. Develop a process to track and measure the timeliness of information sharing at the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force
(NCIJTF).
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will develop a process to track and measure the timeliness of information sharing at the NCIJTF.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has developed a process to track and measure the timeliness of information sharing at the NCIJTF.
2. Increase its efforts to hire computer scientists for authorized positions.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that the FBI Human Resources Division (HRD) will continue to focus on hiring computer scientists and other technical professionals to help the Cyber Division combat immediate and emerging threats. According to the FBI’s response, the HRD is also integrating a technology specific
recruitment plan into the FBI’s larger, overarching recruitment plan, to include: (1) targeted talent recruitment; and (2) developing partnerships with specific educational institutions, talent incubators, and/or technical organizations that provide cyber training and credible developmental opportunities, such as intrusion and defense competitions.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has increased its efforts to hire computer scientists for authorized positions and other technical professionals to help combat immediate and emerging cyber threats.
3. Continue to develop creative strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly skilled cyber professionals, including cyber agent targeted recruitment efforts, new computer scientist job series, and using external partners to identify highly qualified candidates
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will continue to develop creative strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly skilled cyber professionals, including cyber agent targeted recruitment efforts, new computer scientist job series, and using external partners to identify highly qualified candidates motivated by a career at the FBI.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has developed creative strategies for retaining highly skilled cyber
professionals.
4. Continue its outreach efforts to recruit detailees to its Cyber Task Forces, including ensuring that information about resources available to facilitate partner agency participation is effectively communicated.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will continue its outreach efforts to recruit detailees to it Cyber Task Forces, including ensuring that information about resources available to facilitate partner agency participation is effectively
communicated.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has continued its Cyber Task Force recruitment efforts and ensures that information about resources available to facilitate partner agency
participation is effectively communicated.
5. Ensure that changes within the Cyber Division organizational structure, including roles and responsibilities, are clearly communicated to the field divisions.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will ensure that changes within the FBI Cyber Division organizational structure, including roles and responsibilities, are clearly communicated to the field divisions.
This recommendation can be closed when the FBI provides evidence that it ensures Cyber Division organizational changes are clearly communicated to the field divisions.
6. Continue to strengthen its outreach efforts to improve sharing and collaboration with private sector entities.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will continue to strengthen its outreach efforts to improve sharing and collaboration with private sector entities.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI is continuing to strengthen its outreach efforts to improve sharing and
collaboration with private sector entities.
7. Develop metrics to measure the timeliness with which it provides actionable information to the private sector.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will develop metrics to measure the timeliness with which it provides actionable information to the private sector.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has developed metrics to measure the timeliness with which it provides actionable information to the private sector.
8. Move promptly to develop strategies, including machine-to-machine capabilities, to ensure the timely dissemination of actionable
information to the private sector.
Resolved. The FBI concurred with our recommendation. In its response, the FBI stated that it will move promptly to develop strategies, including
machine-to-machine capabilities, to ensure the timely dissemination of actionable information to the private sector.
This recommendation can be closed when we receive evidence that the FBI has developed strategies to ensure the timely dissemination of actionable information to the private sector.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) is a statutorily created independent entity whose mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in the Department of Justice, and to promote economy and efficiency in the Department’s operations. Information may be reported to the DOJ OIG’s hotline at www.justice.gov/oig/hotline or (800) 869-4499.