Explain the existing challenges that result from the independent nature of these agencies, as well as other factors common to each of them. In the United States, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, among others, have taken on roles in combating computer crime and terrorism. The roles and responses of these law enforcement agencies regarding digital crime have created challenges that limit efforts to combat digital crime. The Department of Justice has faced evolving challenges such as mortgage fraud, corporate fraud, and cybercrime, including online child pornography. As it seeks to balance and respond to competing and emerging priorities, the Department faces several key challenges. The FBI continually faces major challenges in its transformation efforts to expand its counterterrorism capabilities, including reorienting its personnel from the traditional law enforcement mission to a counterterrorism mission; strengthen and improve intelligence collection, analysis and information sharing capabilities; and recruit employees with specialized skills to fill these new positions. Still, concerns remain about how counterterrorism and intelligence missions have been integrated into the FBI's more traditional law enforcement mission and culture. Currently, progress is being made to fill vacancies in the FBI's counterterrorism division. (GAO High Risk & Other Major Government Challenges Balancing Fighting Crime versus Terrorism) The Department of Homeland Security faces challenges related to the failure to coordinate and cooperate in the latest fight against cyber. crimes as well as more general intelligence gathering operations. (...... middle of paper ...... sure more convictions will be handed down; criminals are held accountable for their actions, and if everyone agrees, clear and concise laws will prevent technical details in the future Creating generous budgets will allocate necessary funds for manpower and training to support efforts to protect our states, as well as national and international borders, from crime. Retrieved February 25, 2012 from GAO ​​Governmnet Accountability Office: http://www.gao.gov/highrisk/agency/doj/balancing-fighting-crime-versus-terrorism.phpTaylor, RW, Fritsch, EJ., Liederbach, J. and Holt, TJ (2011)...