National Security: FBI Should Strengthen Partnerships to Combat Non-Traditional Intelligence Collectors

U.S. national security and economic interests depend on technological innovation and advantage. This Q&A looks at people who collect sensitive information for other countries. This group may include university students and researchers. The FBI calls these people "non-traditional intelligence collectors" and says they pose an insider threat to the U.S.

The FBI works with academic institutions and industry to identify and address such threats, but its relationships with academia vary. According to FBI officials, good relationships can help institutions come forward with tips and requests for help.

We recommended strengthening these relationships.

Picture of the FBI's seal on a wall outside of an office.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), non-traditional intelligence collectors (NTCs) are individuals whose primary profession is not intelligence collection, but who actively or passively collect sensitive U.S. information on behalf of foreign entities. For example, researchers and students at universities may act as NTCs if they collect non-public research on behalf of a foreign entity. According to the FBI, unlike intelligence officers, NTCs function independently of established intelligence organizations.

FBI officials and representatives from academic associations identified several challenges in addressing threats posed by NTCs. For example, FBI officials said that it is difficult to identify and investigate NTCs because their activities may not constitute a violation of the law until information is transferred to foreign entities. Also, there are cultural differences between the FBI and academia that may impede communication, as academic institutions promote the free exchange of information, and, according to FBI officials, may not want to be perceived as “turning over” their students.