20+ Difference between FBI And CIA (Explained)

CIA and FBI are part of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The CIA has no law enforcement role, unlike the FBI. Instead, the CIA collects and analyzes information for national security policymaking.

The CIA gathers foreign information, performs president-directed action, and preserves national secrets. The FBI protects and defends the U.S. from terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, enforces U.S. criminal laws, and provides leadership and criminal justice services to local and international agencies and partners.

Table of Contents

Comparison Between FBI And CIA

Parameter	FBI	CIA
Works under	Complies with the standards that were determined by the Department of Justice of the United States of America (DOJ).	Regarding its operations, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) can work independently of any external factors. This ability allows the CIA to remain completely oblivious to any interference from the outside world. Because of this skill, the CIA can carry out its task without being affected negatively.
Responsibilities	Investigations are being conducted into homicides, kidnappings, and other types of crimes that have occurred inside the borders of the United States of America (USA).	Acquiring information and trade secrets from other countries while simultaneously participating in covert operations to check the validity of the material collected to verify that it was accumulated in an acceptable manner and by all applicable laws and regulations.
Functions	The gathering of information in other countries and the carrying out of covert operations are two of the essential tasks that are carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).	The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) protects the United States from various dangers, including those posed by terrorist organizations, foreign intelligence operations, espionage, public corruption at all levels, and global cyber threats. In addition to this, the FBI is active in the fight against public corruption.
Budget	The Federal Bureau of Investigation budget is something in the neighborhood of $8.8 billion (2016).	For the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to pay for all of the numerous expenditures that it incurs, the agency’s yearly budget allocates around 18 billion dollars to pay for these charges. This allows the CIA to pay for all of the expenses that it incurs (2016).

Major Differences Between FBI And CIA

What exactly is the FBI?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation oversees and investigates crimes that occur inside the borders of the United States of America (USA).

The primary mission of the FBI is to maintain domestic security and prevent terrorist attacks inside the borders of the United States of America. Additionally, the FBI assists state and local law enforcement agencies with their criminal investigations when their experience and resources are requested.

Key Differences: FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) primarily gathers information and investigates and prosecutes federal offenses inside the United States.

The United States Department of Justice is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) parent organization.

It was believed that 13,000 agents, 22,000 staff members, and 3,000 intelligence analysts worked for the FBI.

Stop public corruption at every level to protect the United States of America from terrorist strikes and espionage from other countries.

Protecting the United States against worldwide cyberattacks is the primary task of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

When both of these agencies’ areas of responsibility are considered, it becomes clear that the FBI is responsible for a greater variety of tasks than the CIA.

What exactly is the CIA?

One of the two most notable intelligence agencies worldwide is the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

It deals with international high-priority issues such as counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, non-proliferation, international organized crime, narcotics trafficking, and arms control intelligence. The National Security Agency (NSA) is the other prominent international intelligence agency.

Key Differences: CIA

In most cases, CIA operations occur outside the United States, and the agency obtains its information via a global network of informants.

The Central Intelligence Agency is its separate entity.

When President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act on September 18, 1947, it officially established the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

In the fiscal year 2016, the expected number of CIA agents was 25,000, while the total number of CIA employees was 35,000.

The acquisition of information from abroad and the clandestine operation of that intelligence are two of the primary functions of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The CIA is responsible for fewer things than the FBI.

Contrast Between FBI And CIA

What they do:

FBI- While doing so, this organization also gathers information from within the United States to strengthen its investigations into any violations of federal law that may have occurred. The information was gathered from sources located inside the borders of the nation.

CIA- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) often conducts its operations from locations outside the United States of America and relies on a network of informants to gather information. These operations are typically carried out overseas.

Generally speaking, surgical procedures of this kind are performed in different nations. These pursuits nearly invariably occur in secretive, covert locales, sometimes behind closed doors, and are usually kept a secret.

Supervised by:

FBI- The United States Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence monitor the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), part of the Department of Justice, provides updates on pending investigations to the Attorney General and local U.S. attorneys nationwide. Any acts that might be considered intelligence are reported to the National Intelligence umbrella.

CIA- Like the FBI, the CIA is accountable to the Director of National Intelligence. In the part of its website titled “Myths,” the CIA website asserts that the agency “is answerable to the American people” and that it acts under the direction of the elected authorities of the United States. Congress also carefully examines the CIA’s reports and the initiatives it enacts.

Jurisdiction:

FBI- The FBI represents a domestic intelligence agency. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports to the Department of Justice and operates around 350 resident agencies throughout the United States and 56 field offices.

Even though the FBI is a domestic agency, it still works worldwide; however, it does so solely as a component of United States embassies or consulates and only to coordinate with the security agencies of other countries.

CIA- Since the CIA is a foreign intelligence organization, its operations and information gathering are restricted to locations outside of the United States.

The only department within the CIA that is authorized to carry out operations inside the United States is the National Resources Division.

Its primary mission is to perform debriefings of United States individuals who have been abroad for various purposes and to recruit foreign people to become CIA assets after returning to their home countries.

Firearm:

FBI- When FBI agents are on patrol, they use the standard equipment supplied to law enforcement officers, such as the guns issued to them by the Bureau.

When the situation calls for it, specialist personnel such as the Hostage Rescue Team will use whatever weapons are necessary.

CIA- Officers working in the field for the CIA, who are normally assigned to the Special Activities Division, do not carry or use any equipment that may potentially connect them to the government of the United States.

These officers operate under what is known as “non-official covers,” and if they are detected carrying firearms or executing these clandestine actions, they risk being disavowed. As a result, even in potentially life-threatening circumstances, it is in their best interest to avoid carrying weapons.

Lives:

FBI- Even though FBI agents are not required to lie to anybody about their job, they are required to keep the information secret, much like many other individuals who work in law enforcement.

This obligation is shared by a large number of other law enforcement personnel as well. This topic is covered in great depth throughout the training each of these organizations provides.

CIA- Even though it is generally frowned upon to tell anyone else that you work for the CIA, a protocol allows you to inform your spouse or long-term partner that you work for the CIA.

This is the case, even though telling anyone else that you work for the CIA is generally frowned upon. At the CIA, some personnel is compelled to keep their cover identities a secret at all times, while others are not.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where may one get the most prestigious job in the FBI?

The position of director is the FBI’s highest available position. The President typically fills the position by appointment, which must be confirmed by the Senate.

The Director of the FBI is responsible for answering to the Attorney General of the United States, the Director of National Intelligence, and several committees of Congress.

How long does training for the FBI take?

At the beginning of their careers, all special agents must attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, for twenty weeks of rigorous training at one of the world’s greatest law enforcement training centers.

Participants in the training program spend their whole time there living on the campus and participating in a wide range of training activities.

How difficult is it to join the Central Intelligence Agency?

If you read the prerequisites, you’ll probably know that getting into the CIA is fairly difficult, particularly if you want to be one of the 10% of CIA officers in field operations.

This is especially true if you want to be a field operative. Your chances of succeeding will rise dramatically if you are entirely forthright with yourself about your identity and abilities.

What makes you ineligible to work for the CIA?

An applicant who has been convicted of a felony, is currently being charged with a crime, has received a dishonorable discharge, or has been found guilty of illegally downloading goods that are protected by intellectual property rights is all disqualified by the CIA.

What is the maximum age requirement to work with the FBI?

You must provide documentation demonstrating that you are at least 23 years old to retain your appointment.

You must also be under age 37 unless you are qualified for an age waiver made available to veterans. A veteran’s status may qualify them for this exemption.