The FBI, known for tracking criminals, has reportedly struggled to keep tabs on its internal equipment, losing hundreds of computers last year.
Roughly 200 desktop computers, a plethora of body armor pieces, some night-vision scopes, multiple phones, and a number of portable computers were lost by the FBI over a six-month period last year, according to documents obtained by Vice.
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“The FBI takes the management of its accountable assets and property with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson for the FBI told the Washington Examiner. “Each year, the FBI conducts an inventory of either a portion or all accountable assets, and the FBI successfully inventories over 99% of these assets each year.”
The 18-page spreadsheet spans from July 2021 through December 2021 and was acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request. The spreadsheet tallying the equipment losses includes options to specify “root causes” of how the devices were lost, such as “gross negligence” and “inadequate security,” per the outlet.
“The July to December 2021 inventory reporting period was unique given the resumption of full inventory management practices after a pause during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and early 2021,” the FBI spokesperson added.
All of the lost equipment had “root causes” marked as “unknown,” the outlet reported. Additionally, all the corrective measures listed in the spreadsheet for the lost items were marked as “unknown.”
As the leading criminal investigative organization in the United States, the FBI handles a torrent of classified and sensitive documents related to its efforts to thwart criminal activity. Losing electronic devices such as computers can pose cybersecurity concerns if the devices were not adequately secured.
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Similar records from the Department of Homeland Security indicate fewer losses. Roughly 25 “COMPUTER, DESKTOP” and 115 “LAPTOP COMPUTERS” were lost, stolen, or damaged between Oct. 1, 2021, and March 30, 2022, according to records obtained by the outlet.
The Washington Examiner reached out to DHS for comment.
