Mike Prado

HSI Deputy Assistant Director, DHS Cyber Crimes Center (C3)

Mike Prado is a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Since 2023 he has led the DHS Cyber Crimes Center (C3), which utilizes cutting-edge technology and 21st century investigative techniques to combat cyber and cyber-facilitated transnational criminal activity. C3 supports all HSI domestic and international field offices in a broad spectrum of
cyber investigations, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse, network intrusion, and illicit activity on the dark web, to include narcotics and weapons trafficking. At C3 he also oversees HSI’s Computer Forensics program and maintains programmatic oversight and coordination of all cyber training, outreach, and specialized solutions to counter illicit use of technologies. Mr. Prado serves as the seniormost U.S. government official primarily responsible for the global investigation and enforcement of online child exploitation crimes, from a field agent perspective to senior field leadership positions, including leading an Internet Crimes Against Children task force, to his role directing C3, Mr. Prado has 25 years of experience investigating online child exploitation and/or leading law enforcement’s global fight against this pervasive problem, in partnership with international and domestic law enforcement, the private sector/technology sector, and non-governmental organization community.

Mr. Prado was previously the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI Charlotte and the Carolinas. He has served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Deputy Director and Director of ICE, respectively and served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the HSI Washington DC office and Division Chief of C3. Other positions he has held include serving as a congressional liaison, Chief of Domestic Operations, and Resident Agent in Charge of the California Central Valley. Mr. Prado is a graduate of the DHS Senior Executive Service Career Development Program, where he completed an assignment as Deputy Director of the DHS Joint Requirements Council. Mr. Prado has over 25 years of law enforcement experience, beginning his career as an investigator with the Tulare County (CA) District Attorney’s Office and later the U.S. Customs Service Office of Investigations. Mr. Prado holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Sonoma State University.