DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The newly appointed head of the FBI Atlanta Regional Bureau says cyberattacks by rogue states represent one of the greatest threats facing the U.S. in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“You have nation countries that are leveraging resources, not only which that country can bring to bear, but they are merging that with other criminal actors. You have a nation state that will push a ransom attack on critical infrastructure. So, you think of electrical grids, the water supply, roads, hospitals. So, we must be sure our cyber teams are up to speed on how to combat those,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent In Charge Marlo Graham.
Graham joined the FBI in the early 2000s.
One of her first assignments was investigating 9/11, including reviewing surveillance video of the attackers.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 2 killed in shooting in Henry County neighborhood
- O’Charley’s closing all locations nationwide
- Georgia death row inmate’s last meal revealed ahead of execution
She says the agency has vastly expanded its joint terrorism task forces, which are teams made up of local, state and federal law enforcements to prevent and investigate acts of terrorism. That also includes private sector partners who may be knowledgeable of cyberattacks.
“Our counter terrorism is truly what we call a no-fail mission. That is where we are, and that’s what’s in your mind constantly,” said Graham.
Peter Ellis, FBI Atlanta Assistant Agent in Charge, told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that he was inspired to join the FBI after watching the World Trade Center towers collapse live on television.
He went to New York City to assist the investigation into the attacks.
“I also got to meet with a lot of victims’ families who lost loved ones either in the planes or in the towers,” said Ellis.
He say cyber terrorism isn’t the only threat that worries him.
“For me, the greatest looming threat is the threat that’s unknown, such as a lone wolf,” said Ellis.
He says investigators need help from the public if someone suspects an individual may be planning an attack.
The FBI has lost 34 employees to the 9/11 attacks who died from medical complications caused by exposure to toxic contamination at the World Trade Center site, often referred to as Ground Zero.
That includes former FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge David J. LeValley. He died on May 26, 2018, from chronic lymphocytic leukemia cause by prolonged exposure to dust, smoke and carcinogens at the site, where as a young agent, he assisted in investigative, rescue and recovery operations. He was 53 years old.
“We always want to remember them and thank them for their bravery and heroism,” Graham said.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
