Review of Domestic Sharing of Counterterrorism Information

Chicago were to have its own NCTC representative and new representatives
were added to cover the region outside of Chicago. An NCTC representative
told the IC IG that she has heard from USAOs and other officials in the
Midwest that they would like to establish closer relationships with and have
more access to NCTC representatives.
As the OIGs conducted their fieldwork, they observed that some NCTC
representative regions and the FBI Field divisions they support had more
counterterrorism activity than others. For example, the NCTC representative
for Denver explained that her region has less activity, which has impacted
negatively her ability to obtain briefers from NCTC Headquarters to support her
customers. Similarly, the NCTC representative for Miami estimated that she
spends 85 to 90 percent of her time supporting the FBI Miami Division. Due to
the FBI Miami Division’s demands for her time, the NCTC representative for
Miami had not yet had an opportunity to visit the FBI or state and local entities
in Jacksonville, or the primary Florida Fusion Center in Tallahassee.
NCTC Representatives’ Reception in the Field – During field visits, the
OIGs received positive feedback on the contributions that the NCTC
representatives are making to the FBI field divisions (e.g., one FBI field division
stated that it would like to obtain an additional representative) and the Fusion
Centers with respect to their role in furthering the sharing of counterterrorism
information. NCTC representatives attend weekly FBI JTTF meetings, as well
as quarterly JTTF Executive Board and DDNIR meetings where they brief on
current threats and counterterrorism products. They provide case support
ranging from conducting name traces through NCTC’s Operations Center to
arranging deeper dives on subjects of FBI investigations.
In addition, NCTC representatives request and coordinate on-site
briefings and trainings by NCTC Headquarters subject matter experts on topics
of interest, such as the Terrorist Screening Center and the Terrorist Identities
Datamart Environment and their capabilities. NCTC representatives are highly
valued for their ability to send information from the FBI field divisions directly
to NCTC leadership.
NCTC representatives also work closely with I&A field personnel in their
regions. 37 For example, the NCTC representative for Houston stated that his
37 I&A serves as the IC’s lead conduit to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. According to the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Intelligence Community, Federal Law Enforcement Agencies,
and the Department of Homeland Security Concerning Information Sharing, no analytic conclusions of
any covered entity shall be disseminated to state, local, or private sector officials, or to the public, without
the prior approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security, his designee, or in accordance with approval
mechanisms established by the Secretary except in exigent circumstances.
40