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Interesting read about the DEA justification more funds to purchase technology to intercept Internet communications, e-mails targeting online pharmacies and steroids.....
Extract from the 2008 budget requested by the DEA
complete budget summision in the following link
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cach...erto+saltiel+cohen"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=32&gl=us
Item Name: Online Investigations
Budget Decision Unit: Domestic Enforcement
Strategic Goal & Objective: Goal II; Objective 2.2
Organizational Program: Office of Investigative Technology and Digital Evidence Laboratory
Program Increase: Pos: 0 Agents: 0 FTE: 0 Dollars: $3,020,000
Description of Item
DEA requests $3,020,000 in non-personnel funding to support Internet investigations. This enhancement provides funding for Internet intercept capabilities and computer forensics support.
Justification
DEA’s successful efforts at targeting Internet traffickers have been highlighted by recent takedowns of Internet pharmacies in Operation Cyber Chase and Operation Cyber RX and Internet steroids traffickers in Operation Gear Grinder. However, rogue online pharmacies are not the only example of Internet facilitated drug trafficking. There are increasing instances where traditional drug trafficking organizations rely on the use of the Internet to facilitate their drug trafficking and money laundering activities. The analysis of Southwest Border investigations indicates that CPOTs in Colombia and Mexico are using Hotmail, Yahoo, and other e-mail accounts. Traffickers are also switching to advanced Internet communications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), wireless handheld devices, instant messaging, and encrypted e-mail.
During a recent DEA investigation, Operation Holdfast, one of the targets utilized e-mail to communicate with organizational members in the United States and Colombia. The targets used e-mail to pass telephone numbers and logistics information related to maritime vessels used by the drug trafficking organization to transport drugs from Colombia into the Caribbean for transshipment into the United States. Intercepts of Internet communications, including e-mail and VoIP, led to the seizure of 2.2 tons of cocaine and identification of more than a dozen organization members. Internet targeting enabled DEA and its foreign law enforcement counterparts to initiate wire intercept investigations in five countries, including the United States.
In order to remain on the forefront of technological changes used to traffic illicit narcotics, DEA needs to invest in improving and expanding its Internet investigative technologies. For FY 2008, DEA request the following enhancements in order to increase Internet investigations:
Combating Emerging Internet Capabilities: DEA requests $1,000,000 in non-personnel funding to improve and expand its Internet investigative technologies to combat the evolving methods used by drug trafficking organizations. DEA’s Office of Investigative Technology, is responsible for the design, development and implementation of technical solutions for the lawful intercept of Internet facilitated communications utilized drug trafficking organizations. The complexity and costs of a single data network intercept is often overwhelming for law enforcement. Additionally, the use of encrypted communications by drug trafficking organizations is becoming more prevalent. Traditional technologies available to law enforcement for data network intercepts are vulnerable to organizations that utilize multiple access points for data communications or encrypt their communications using high level encryption protocols.
This funding will be used to develop and purchase intercept solutions for emerging Internet technologies, including data intercept solutions that can be placed on a targeted computer to covertly capture all communications authorized by a Title III court order. Since the intercept solution actually resides on a subject’s computer, mobility of a target that accesses the Internet through multiple service providers can be overcome. Also, encrypted communications can be intercepted as the software is able to capture communications in their unencrypted state, rather that when they are in transit and secure.
This tool will provide DEA with the technical capacity to address certain types of communications that can not be intercepted through conventional methods. There are several ongoing investigations that have been adversely impacted by the use of encryption by the targeted organizations. The inability to address these encrypted communications has allowed the criminal organizations to operate with impunity and prohibited the intercept from realizing its full investigative potential.
Permanent Connectivity of DEA Field Divisions to Major ISPs: DEA requests $1,500,000 in non-personnel funding to provide operational funding for Internet intercept capabilities. In order to intercept e-mail or other Internet communications for Pen Traps or Title IIIs, DEA must connect to the target’s ISP. This funding will allow DEA’s Office of Investigative Technology to connect DEA Field Divisions to major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using a secure, dedicated network. This network will facilitate the collection of Internet communications pursuant to Pen Traps and Title III intercepts. DEA has met with leaders in the data communications industry who have embraced the idea of creating a secure network to facilitate court order requests, rather than continue on the current path of creating a new connection for every court order. The creation of this network will expedite the implementation time required for each intercept as well as eliminate the need for repetitive travel to install network intercept equipment.
Computer Forensics: DEA requests $520,000 in non-personnel funding for computer forensics support. This type of support is critical to the successful outcome of Internet Investigations. Investigations involving Internet communications and remote server data storage are technically complex and are often time sensitive, requiring deployment at multiple locations simultaneously. Without additional resources, DEA will experience significant delays in supporting Internet-related investigative prosecutions. The current backlog for exhibit review averages 4 months, with the oldest case being 9 months behind schedule. As of the end of the first quarter of FY 2007, 81 cases (434 exhibits) remain in the backlog. Digital evidence exhibit submissions to the DEA increased by 96 percent Digital Evidence Laboratory in FY 2006. The trends shown in the chart below make it imperative that the additional resources be provided to avoid any further increase to the current backlog.
This funding for computer forensics support, along with funding from the Diversion Control Program, will be used for two purposes: 1) the installation of a 40 terabyte Storage Area Network (SAN) and 2) the purchase of blade servers to replace the desktop units each examiner currently uses to examine evidence. Once installed, the SAN will allow immediate access to archived copies of stored digital data from computers, servers, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other devices and the resulting investigative data recovery. Approximately 50 percent of all computer forensics submissions originate from Internet web hosts, rouge Internet pharmacies, or other businesses and consist of enormous databases containing terabytes of e-mail, financial, and business information. A SAN is necessary for the timely examination of these extremely large databases. Additionally, a SAN will allow DEA to provide electronically stored digital evidence to other law enforcement organizations if necessary, maintain digital evidence data redundancy in cases of local or national emergency, and enhance overall evidence control and accountability through automated data access mechanisms.
Impact on Performance (Relationship of Increase to Strategic Goals)
DEA focuses its resources to disrupt and dismantle the largest drug trafficking organizations. As the use of Internet-based communications rises, so does the use of these communication methods by drug trafficking organizations. The use of Internet-based communications is growing exponentially. For example, the Telecommunications Industry Association estimates that the use of VoIP (one method of making phone calls over the Internet) is growing at 44 percent each year and will reach 18 million residential subscribers by 2009.48
It is anticipated that the Internet-related caseload will continue to increase as more drug trafficking organizations expand their online activities and the use of Internet facilitated communications. It is imperative that DEA remain at the forefront of the latest Internet technology and training in order to address the increasing caseload. It is also important that DEA continue to use the latest intelligence gathering techniques to address the demands of Internet-related investigations already underway.
As DEA moves to increase Internet-based investigations, more equipment, training, and support are needed to sustain this effort. Internet investigations, by nature, are complex and multifaceted. Effectively addressing the need for resources requires enhancement of several different areas. The areas of investment will allow for greater connectivity for SOD-coordinated investigations, enhance undercover capacities, and implement technologies that agents have been trained to use, but currently lack in many field offices.
The Online Investigations Initiative will allow DEA to address current caseload requirements as well as future anticipated growth in this rapidly expanding field. Moreover, DEA will expand its coordination capabilities, centralize important functions currently done on an individual case or division basis, and enhance the investigative focus on disruption and dismantlement of major trafficking organizations. Only recently have tools that effectively address the criminal activity on the Internet become available to law enforcement, and DEA needs to capitalize on these improvements in technological investigations to ensure agency-wide coordination of criminal and diversion enforcement activities. These investments in technology and staffing will save DEA from future financial burdens of centralizing functions and addressing investigative shortcomings as drug traffickers continues to expand their operations and communication through the Internet
Extract from the 2008 budget requested by the DEA
complete budget summision in the following link
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cach...erto+saltiel+cohen"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=32&gl=us
Item Name: Online Investigations
Budget Decision Unit: Domestic Enforcement
Strategic Goal & Objective: Goal II; Objective 2.2
Organizational Program: Office of Investigative Technology and Digital Evidence Laboratory
Program Increase: Pos: 0 Agents: 0 FTE: 0 Dollars: $3,020,000
Description of Item
DEA requests $3,020,000 in non-personnel funding to support Internet investigations. This enhancement provides funding for Internet intercept capabilities and computer forensics support.
Justification
DEA’s successful efforts at targeting Internet traffickers have been highlighted by recent takedowns of Internet pharmacies in Operation Cyber Chase and Operation Cyber RX and Internet steroids traffickers in Operation Gear Grinder. However, rogue online pharmacies are not the only example of Internet facilitated drug trafficking. There are increasing instances where traditional drug trafficking organizations rely on the use of the Internet to facilitate their drug trafficking and money laundering activities. The analysis of Southwest Border investigations indicates that CPOTs in Colombia and Mexico are using Hotmail, Yahoo, and other e-mail accounts. Traffickers are also switching to advanced Internet communications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), wireless handheld devices, instant messaging, and encrypted e-mail.
During a recent DEA investigation, Operation Holdfast, one of the targets utilized e-mail to communicate with organizational members in the United States and Colombia. The targets used e-mail to pass telephone numbers and logistics information related to maritime vessels used by the drug trafficking organization to transport drugs from Colombia into the Caribbean for transshipment into the United States. Intercepts of Internet communications, including e-mail and VoIP, led to the seizure of 2.2 tons of cocaine and identification of more than a dozen organization members. Internet targeting enabled DEA and its foreign law enforcement counterparts to initiate wire intercept investigations in five countries, including the United States.
In order to remain on the forefront of technological changes used to traffic illicit narcotics, DEA needs to invest in improving and expanding its Internet investigative technologies. For FY 2008, DEA request the following enhancements in order to increase Internet investigations:
Combating Emerging Internet Capabilities: DEA requests $1,000,000 in non-personnel funding to improve and expand its Internet investigative technologies to combat the evolving methods used by drug trafficking organizations. DEA’s Office of Investigative Technology, is responsible for the design, development and implementation of technical solutions for the lawful intercept of Internet facilitated communications utilized drug trafficking organizations. The complexity and costs of a single data network intercept is often overwhelming for law enforcement. Additionally, the use of encrypted communications by drug trafficking organizations is becoming more prevalent. Traditional technologies available to law enforcement for data network intercepts are vulnerable to organizations that utilize multiple access points for data communications or encrypt their communications using high level encryption protocols.
This funding will be used to develop and purchase intercept solutions for emerging Internet technologies, including data intercept solutions that can be placed on a targeted computer to covertly capture all communications authorized by a Title III court order. Since the intercept solution actually resides on a subject’s computer, mobility of a target that accesses the Internet through multiple service providers can be overcome. Also, encrypted communications can be intercepted as the software is able to capture communications in their unencrypted state, rather that when they are in transit and secure.
This tool will provide DEA with the technical capacity to address certain types of communications that can not be intercepted through conventional methods. There are several ongoing investigations that have been adversely impacted by the use of encryption by the targeted organizations. The inability to address these encrypted communications has allowed the criminal organizations to operate with impunity and prohibited the intercept from realizing its full investigative potential.
Permanent Connectivity of DEA Field Divisions to Major ISPs: DEA requests $1,500,000 in non-personnel funding to provide operational funding for Internet intercept capabilities. In order to intercept e-mail or other Internet communications for Pen Traps or Title IIIs, DEA must connect to the target’s ISP. This funding will allow DEA’s Office of Investigative Technology to connect DEA Field Divisions to major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using a secure, dedicated network. This network will facilitate the collection of Internet communications pursuant to Pen Traps and Title III intercepts. DEA has met with leaders in the data communications industry who have embraced the idea of creating a secure network to facilitate court order requests, rather than continue on the current path of creating a new connection for every court order. The creation of this network will expedite the implementation time required for each intercept as well as eliminate the need for repetitive travel to install network intercept equipment.
Computer Forensics: DEA requests $520,000 in non-personnel funding for computer forensics support. This type of support is critical to the successful outcome of Internet Investigations. Investigations involving Internet communications and remote server data storage are technically complex and are often time sensitive, requiring deployment at multiple locations simultaneously. Without additional resources, DEA will experience significant delays in supporting Internet-related investigative prosecutions. The current backlog for exhibit review averages 4 months, with the oldest case being 9 months behind schedule. As of the end of the first quarter of FY 2007, 81 cases (434 exhibits) remain in the backlog. Digital evidence exhibit submissions to the DEA increased by 96 percent Digital Evidence Laboratory in FY 2006. The trends shown in the chart below make it imperative that the additional resources be provided to avoid any further increase to the current backlog.
This funding for computer forensics support, along with funding from the Diversion Control Program, will be used for two purposes: 1) the installation of a 40 terabyte Storage Area Network (SAN) and 2) the purchase of blade servers to replace the desktop units each examiner currently uses to examine evidence. Once installed, the SAN will allow immediate access to archived copies of stored digital data from computers, servers, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other devices and the resulting investigative data recovery. Approximately 50 percent of all computer forensics submissions originate from Internet web hosts, rouge Internet pharmacies, or other businesses and consist of enormous databases containing terabytes of e-mail, financial, and business information. A SAN is necessary for the timely examination of these extremely large databases. Additionally, a SAN will allow DEA to provide electronically stored digital evidence to other law enforcement organizations if necessary, maintain digital evidence data redundancy in cases of local or national emergency, and enhance overall evidence control and accountability through automated data access mechanisms.
Impact on Performance (Relationship of Increase to Strategic Goals)
DEA focuses its resources to disrupt and dismantle the largest drug trafficking organizations. As the use of Internet-based communications rises, so does the use of these communication methods by drug trafficking organizations. The use of Internet-based communications is growing exponentially. For example, the Telecommunications Industry Association estimates that the use of VoIP (one method of making phone calls over the Internet) is growing at 44 percent each year and will reach 18 million residential subscribers by 2009.48
It is anticipated that the Internet-related caseload will continue to increase as more drug trafficking organizations expand their online activities and the use of Internet facilitated communications. It is imperative that DEA remain at the forefront of the latest Internet technology and training in order to address the increasing caseload. It is also important that DEA continue to use the latest intelligence gathering techniques to address the demands of Internet-related investigations already underway.
As DEA moves to increase Internet-based investigations, more equipment, training, and support are needed to sustain this effort. Internet investigations, by nature, are complex and multifaceted. Effectively addressing the need for resources requires enhancement of several different areas. The areas of investment will allow for greater connectivity for SOD-coordinated investigations, enhance undercover capacities, and implement technologies that agents have been trained to use, but currently lack in many field offices.
The Online Investigations Initiative will allow DEA to address current caseload requirements as well as future anticipated growth in this rapidly expanding field. Moreover, DEA will expand its coordination capabilities, centralize important functions currently done on an individual case or division basis, and enhance the investigative focus on disruption and dismantlement of major trafficking organizations. Only recently have tools that effectively address the criminal activity on the Internet become available to law enforcement, and DEA needs to capitalize on these improvements in technological investigations to ensure agency-wide coordination of criminal and diversion enforcement activities. These investments in technology and staffing will save DEA from future financial burdens of centralizing functions and addressing investigative shortcomings as drug traffickers continues to expand their operations and communication through the Internet
