Publication

This report frames potential policy questions concerning the Service’s mission and organization through an examination of the US Secret Service history and its statutory authorities, mission, and present activities within Department of Homeland Security. The US Secret Service has two missions—criminal investigations and protection. Criminal investigation activities, which have expanded since its inception, now encompass financial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based attacks on the nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure, among other areas.