About Michael Scott Sparks

Scott Sparks is a counterintelligence (CI) subject matter expert (SME) with specialized experience in offensive CI operations (OFCO), counterespionage investigations, and CI activities in the cyber domain.  He is a certified CI Special Agent and OFCO Case Officer.  His 30+ year career includes leading, conducting and training OFCO and the full spectrum of CI activities in both peacetime and in conflict for US Army, US Central Command (CENTCOM), and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) strategic counterintelligence organizations.  

Mr. Sparks is a co-founder and partner at IXN Solutions, LLC, a startup dedicated to providing cutting- edge counterintelligence training and consultation to enable US government CI organizations.  Prior to co-founding IXN Solutions, Mr. Sparks served as a Consultant for MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA, where he served as a CI SME evaluating a government agency CI program.  During federal civil service from 2006-2022, Mr. Sparks led the Defense Intelligence Agency’s CI Operations Division, conducting DIA’s global OFCO and CI activities in the cyber domain missions.  He was the DIA representative to the Joint CI Training Academy Board of Governors, and served a Joint Duty Assignment with the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division.  Prior to coming to DIA, Mr. Sparks led CENTCOM’s Joint CI Unit-Afghanistan, and served in OFCO assignments as both the Chief of Operations for the US Army Foreign CI Activity (USAFCA) Detachment 15 in Germany, and Executive Case Officer for USAFCA Detachment 14 in Fort Meade, MD.  During his active-duty career from 1986-2006, Mr. Sparks served as the CI Career Manager the Army Field Support Center in Fort Meade, MD, OFCO Team Chief for USAFCA Detachment 14, OFCO Case Officer at USFCA Detachment 16 in Hawaii, and Officer in Charge of the 501st MI Brigade Counterespionage Team in Korea. 

Mr. Sparks was a frequent guest instructor for the JCITA Foreign CI Operations Course throughout his career, and planned, developed and delivered training during operational assignments to ensure success and oversight of operations, and to maintain compliance with foreign CIA operations officer certification requirements mandated by DoD policy. 

Mr. Sparks’ professional education includes the Advanced Foreign CI Training Course (AFCITC - Operations, Investigations and Surveillance), FBI National Academy, Computer Investigations for CI Special Agents (CICSA), and Army CI Special Agent Course (CISAC). 

Mr. Sparks completed a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University, and Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Wayland Baptist University.