FBI Director Louis Freeh said Wednesday that law enforcement officials have uncovered just the "tip of the iceberg" of computer-related crimes, and must acquire more sophisticated tools and personnel to deal with crime in the 21st century.
"We deal with people sitting in Russia who use laptop computers to break into New York City banks and steal millions. Criminals, and not all that sophisticated criminals, are using computer technology and cyber tools to commit crimes," Freeh said during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee's Commerce Justice and State panel.
To deal with these new threats, Freeh said he would like to expand the number of "computer squads" from eight to 28 to deal with the growing use of computers and the Internet in crimes ranging from child pornography to credit card number theft.
The FBI has requested $11.4 million to expand the number of squads as well as add equipment to its 28 smaller field offices to assist agents in investigating computer crimes. The agency has asked for an increase of 207 additional positions and $36.7 million to deal with computer and cyber crimes and protect the nation's critical infrastructure.
"We believe this is just now the tip of the iceberg," Freeh said. "Within several years, and perhaps two years, the incidents not just of computer crimes but the necessity to use computers to investigate crimes will grow exponentially."
Rep. Jose Serrano D-NY questioned whether the FBI is increasingly encountering criminals who have better equipment than law enforcement.
Freeh said the FBI needs more resources "to get us into the game. We always have a little bit of catching up to do."
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