Describe the overall impact (e.g., economic, social, etc.) of utilizing information technologies in combatting digital crime and digital terrorism.

 The overall impact of utilizing information technologies in combatting digital crime and digital terrorism is that they exploit routine vulnerabilities.  These hackers and terrorists move in quickly, make their money, and disappear.  No company is immune, from the Fortune 500 Corporation to the neighborhood business.  Federal Bureau of Investigation has cyber squads in 56 of their field offices, with more than 1,000 specially trained agents, analysts, and forensic specialists. Given the FBI’s dual role in law enforcement and national security, they are uniquely positioned to collect the intelligence we need to take down criminal networks, prosecute those responsible, and protect national security. [http://www.fbi.gov]  Borders and boundaries pose no obstacles for hackers. But they continue to pose obstacles for global law enforcement, with conflicting laws, different priorities, and diverse criminal justice systems. With each passing day, the need for a collective approach for true collaboration and timely information sharing becomes more pressing. Another impact is the fear of having trusted insiders who may be lured into selling secrets for monetary gain and perimeter defense may not matter if the enemy is inside the gates. [http://www.fbi.gov]  The end result of these developments is that we are losing data. We are losing money, ideas and innovation. As citizens, we are increasingly vulnerable to losing our information.  
Explain the existing challenges that result from the independent nature of the law enforcement agencies within the U.S. with regards to computer crimes and terrorism.
An existing challenge that may be a result from the independent nature of the law enforcement agencies within the United States with regards to computer crimes and terrorism is that more than seventy-five percent of state agencies have reported that their assignment of personnel to federal task forces has increased. Federal support for computer crimes and traditional investigations has decreased across the country. More than sixty percent of state police agencies report an increase in their interactions with corporate security representatives and private companies concerning facility security and worker background checks. Local law enforcement agencies are requesting more operational assistance and support from state police today. They are requesting technical assistance, forensic science, specialized services and help with computer crimes. State agencies have provided additional training and technical assistance to local agencies. [http:www.fbi.gov]  Approximately three quarters of state law enforcement agencies report a great amount of involvement in or serve as their state’s leader for gathering, analyzing and sharing terrorism-related intelligence.  Overall, state police are much more involved today than before Sept. 11 in building their state’s intelligence capabilities, conducting terrorism-related investigations and coordinating and planning for homeland security. [http://www.fbi.gov]
Next, propose one (1) strategy that the U.S. could use in order to mitigate the challenges in question.
From a law enforcement perspective, computer related crime differs significantly from more traditional criminal activity. Investigation of computer crime will require the law enforcement community to adopt new skills and practices and to learn to deal with a new criminal paradigm. The cyber-crime scene differs from the traditional crime scene, and poses several unique problems. [http://www.fdle.state.fl.us]  A few strategies that the United States could use in order to mitigate the challenges in question are coordinating homeland security at the state level, collecting, analyzing critical information and intelligence