Computer and Telecommunications Coordinator

Prior to the creation of the CHIP Program, in 1995 the Department of Justice created the Computer & Telecommunications Coordinator ("CTC") program to address concerns about the rising tide of computer crime. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices designated at least one AUSA in each district as a CTC; depending on the needs of the particular region, some districts designated more than one prosecutor. In addition, a number of components and divisions within the Department of Justice, such as the Tax Division, also designated CTCs for their respective organizations.

In October 2004, the DOJ Task Force on Intellectual Property recommended that the Department of Justice change the CTC designation to “CHIP Coordinator” to clarify that intellectual property offenses were included within the responsibilities of these AUSAs and to align all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with the Attorney General’s CHIP Program.