The Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) is a dedicated branch within the Criminal Investigation Division (CID); specializing in the investigation of computer-related crimes and ensuring the safety of the digital sphere.
A key partnership of the CCU is with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). ICAC is a national collaboration consisting of 61 task forces that represent over 4,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Their collective mission is to combat online child victimization. They conduct both reactive and proactive investigations to target individuals responsible for child exploitation crimes on the internet.
The CCU's responsibilities extend beyond addressing child exploitation. Its members undergo rigorous training to respond to network intrusions and cyberattacks, equipped with knowledge of a variety of IT security aspects such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption technologies, and network protocols. Their primary goal is to protect and identify indicators of compromise.
Furthermore, the CCU incorporates Task Force Officers (TFOs) who work closely with Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service. The TFOs play a vital role in bridging the gap between different agencies, bringing in their specialized knowledge and contributing to the broad spectrum of skills within the CCU.
In addition to the above, the CCU also specializes in forensics and triage for electronic storage devices, including phones, computers, and external storage devices. Using advanced techniques and tools, they are able to recover, preserve, and analyze digital evidence. This evidence is crucial in securing convictions across a wide range of crimes, spanning from cybercrime to more traditional forms of criminal activities.