FBI Deputizes Private Contractors With Extraordinary Powers, Including 'Shoot to Kill'
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Summary

February 8, 2008: The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, has expanded the powers of an organization called InfraGard consisting of private contractors. The members receive secret warning of terrorist attacks before the public, and allegedly have the right to "shoot to kill" when protecting vital infrastructure in the event of martial law without fear of repercussion. In return, they provide information for the government.

As of January 2008, the group has more than 23,000 members, including representatives from 350 companies listed on the Fortune 500 lists. Each prospective member must be sponsored by "an existing InfraGard member, chapter, or partner organization." Organization who wish to join must deal with "critical infrastructure" of the United States, including energy, food production, transportation and many more.

Members gain access to a vast online store of security-related information, as well as special phone numbers for contacts with various security agencies - where their status as InfraGard members will give their calls priority. Sometimes they are notified of threats even before the local elected officials.

Source

Bibliography
2. Wikipedia on InfraGard - many of the juciest / most controversial bits are only on the associated Talk page.

Game and Story Use

  • Being a member of InfraGard - or hacking into an InfraGard account - could give PCs all sorts of interesting, privileged information they might need for their own adventures.
  • In conspiracy games, InfraGard might be the seed of a "secret army" that will take over the country - either as part of a government coup which co-opts the private sector, or as a corporate takeover of the country in cooperation with the FBI.
  • This is an obvious entryway for the paramilitary corporate security forces favoured in cyberpunk and related genres.
  • Note that "shoot to kill" is a piece of sophistry - if you're shooting someone, killing them is a likely outcome. If you're worried about killing them, don't shoot them.
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