PGCPS Pathways Visits HSI-Cyber Crime Center
A group of freshman and sophomore students from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) visited ICE on another successful Women in Homeland Security (WHS) STEM field trip. Students enrolled in several PGCPS pathway tracks including IT Networking (Cybersecurity), Information/Communication Technology, Homeland Security Science, and Military Science were provided an exciting opportunity to learn about many different divisions and offices within Immigrations and Customs Enforcement at their Cyber Crimes Center (H3), including the Office of Public Affairs, Security Operation Center, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), including Cyber Crimes Center (C3) and Border Enforcement Security Task Force. As the investigative arm of DHS, C3 agents work to combat criminal activity on the Internet through programs and tools including iGuardian, which helps teach kids and teens about safe online practices. Staff also described the evolution of fingerprint identification and how Neoscan devices are now being used for immigration identification.
Students also had the opportunity to meet the developer of HSI's "Operation Predator" a smartphone app – the first of its kind in U.S. federal law enforcement – designed to seek the public's help with fugitive and unknown suspect child predators.The Operation Predator app enables users to receive alerts about wanted predators, to share the information with friends via email and social media tools, and to provide information to HSI by calling or submitting an online tip. Additionally, the app allows users to view news about arrests and prosecutions of child predators and additional resources about ICE and its global partners in the fight against child exploitation. You can download the app on the iTunes store or on google.
After the interactive tour of the Computer Forensics lab, students enjoyed a pizza lunch at the conclusion of the field trip.