Since April of 2004, I have been involved with the FBI Infragard program, a card-carrying member of the Denver Chapter.

InfraGard is an information sharing and analysis effort serving the interests and combining the knowledge base of a wide range of members. At its most basic level, InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and the private sector. InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. InfraGard Chapters are geographically linked with FBI Field Office territories. Each InfraGard Chapter has an FBI Special Agent Coordinator assigned to it, and the FBI Coordinator works closely with Supervisory Special Agent Program Managers in the Cyber Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Basically, its an information-sharing and Critical Infrastructure protection organization setup by the FBI in 1996 as a local effort to gain support from the IT industry for the FBI's efforts in the "cyber arena". In 1998, the program was made a national effort and set to be managed by the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NPIC). After September 11, Infragard expanded to include physical threats to crtical infrastructure.

Infragard is a way to contribute to serving and protecting the United States for civilians in professions where they are involved in one of the 13 federally recognized critical infrastructures. Its something I enjoy and something I intend to actively participate in for years to come.