FBI to Deploy More Cyber Agents to Embassies

The FBI is stationing more agents in U.S. embassies worldwide to fight international cybercrime.

Six new cyber assistant legal attache posts will open in cities such as Brasilia and New Delhi, increasing the total number of embassy-deployed cyber agents to 22, CyberScoop reported Wednesday.

The bureau has operated a legal attaché program since the early 1940s to coordinate domestic and foreign law enforcement and intelligence, maintaining 63 offices in diplomatic missions throughout the globe. Efforts to deploy cyber agents began in 2011 in Canada, Estonia, Ukraine and other countries.

The FBI and the Department of Justice are taking a more proactive approach that involves disrupting criminal group activities.

Brian Abellera, the FBI’s cyber assistant legal attache in Ottawa, said his position’s necessity was proven by an April 2023 operation to shut down an online marketplace for stolen credentials. Cyber assistant legal attachés took the responsibility of sending law enforcement worldwide to arrest the perpetrators.