National Security Branch
The FBI created the National Security Branch (NSB) in September 2005 in response to a presidential directive to establish a “National Security Service” that combines the missions, capabilities, and resources of the FBI’s national security elements under the leadership of a senior FBI official.
Mission: Protect the national security of the United States.
Vision: Blend resources across all national security components to work together; normalize integration, training, and sharing; and seize upon every opportunity to disrupt and defeat our enemies as a joint team.
Structure of the NSB
The traditional distinction between national security and criminal matters is increasingly blurred as terrorists commit crimes to finance their activities and computer hackers create vulnerabilities that can be exploited.The integration of intelligence and investigations makes the FBI uniquely situated to address these threats and vulnerabilities across programs. We draw on both intelligence and law enforcement tools to determine strategically where and when to disrupt threats, and the NSB’s five components work together to accomplish the Branch’s overarching national security mission.
Counterintelligence
The FBI is the lead agency for exposing, preventing, and investigating intelligence activities, including espionage, on U.S. soil and uses its investigative and intelligence capabilities--as well as strategic partnerships--to pursue spies.
Terrorism
To counter terrorism, the FBI's top investigative priority, we use our investigative and intelligence capabilities to neutralize domestic extremists and help dismantle terrorist networks worldwide.
High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group
The FBI administers an interagency body called the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG) that brings together personnel from the U.S. Intelligence Community to conduct lawful interrogations that strengthen national security.
Terrorist Screening Center
Born out of the events of September 11, 2001 and created in 2003, the Terrorist Screening Center maintains the U.S. government’s consolidated Terrorist Watchlist—a single database of identifying information about those known to be (or reasonably suspected of being) involved in terrorist activity. By supporting the ability of front-line screening agencies to positively identify known or suspected terrorists trying to obtain visas, enter the country, board aircraft, or engage in other activity, the consolidated Terrorist Watchlist is one of the most effective counterterrorism tools for the U.S. government.
WMD
The FBI created the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate in 2006 to support a cohesive and coordinated approach to incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) material. The Directorate leads U.S. government efforts to prevent and neutralize WMD threats against the homeland and interests abroad by focusing on outreach, intelligence, operational response, and investigative capabilities designed to keep WMD threats from becoming a reality.
- 11.18.2020 — Former Army Green Beret Pleads Guilty to Russian Espionage Conspiracy
- 11.18.2020 — Bangladeshi Husband and Wife Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS
- 11.17.2020 — Two Area Doctors Charged in a Scheme to Defraud the United States
- 11.17.2020 — Former Raytheon Engineer Sentenced for Exporting Sensitive Military-Related Technology to China
- 11.17.2020 — Jefferson County Man Indicted on Charges He Conspired Against the U.S. and Sold Machine Gun Conversion Devices
- 11.13.2020 — Valley Task Force Members Presented with FBI Director’s Certificate
- 11.13.2020 — Las Vegas Resident Who Discussed Setting Fire to a Synagogue with a White Supremacist Extremist Group Sentenced for Possession of Bomb-Making Components
- 11.12.2020 — Salt Lake City Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS
- 11.10.2020 — Staten Island Man Arrested in Connection with Threats to Kill Protesters, Politicians, and Members of Law Enforcement
- 11.10.2020 — Judge Sentences St. Louis County Woman for Providing Material Support to Terrorists
