About Operation // NODE
Operation // NODE is a mission-driven initiative dedicated to supporting law enforcement and protecting the vulnerable through technology, training, and investigative expertise.
We design and share open-source and proprietary tools to assist with digital investigations, and provide hands-on support for high-risk, high-impact cases — including child exploitation, human trafficking, and violent crimes. Our training programs equip officers with practical skills in OSINT, digital forensics, and modern investigative techniques.
In addition to technical and tactical support, we also work to provide financial assistance to agencies in need of critical tools, software, or training, helping ensure that limited budgets don’t become barriers to effective investigations.
Our leadership includes active law enforcement professionals — including Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members, School Resource Officers, digital forensics technicians, and certified instructors — ensuring our work is grounded in real-world needs and front line experience.
Operation // NODE exists to bridge the digital divide in policing — empowering agencies with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to stay ahead in the fight against modern crime.
About the Instructor
Nate Nobel is a sworn law enforcement officer, cybercrimes investigator, and digital forensics specialist with a deep passion for making complex technology accessible to the officers who need it most. With a professional foundation in IT and networking, Nate transitioned into law enforcement and quickly recognized a growing divide between the rapid pace of technological advancement and the ability of most agencies—and individual officers—to keep up.
That gap wasn’t just academic. It meant missed evidence, delayed investigations, and missed opportunities to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. Determined to change that, Nate pursued extensive training in digital forensics, OSINT, and cyber investigations, becoming a technical instructor and subject matter expert in areas ranging from cryptocurrency tracing to ICAC investigations. His mission is simple: to give law enforcement the tools and confidence they need to operate effectively in a digital world.
Through Operation // NODE, Nate designs and delivers training that breaks down high-level technical skills into clear, actionable knowledge for patrol officers, detectives, and technical units alike. His approach is grounded in real-world application, not theory—always focused on what will work in the field, in the moment.
Beyond instruction, Nate also contributes to the law enforcement community by building and recommending free and open-source tools that lower barriers to entry. One of his current projects, Heimdallr, is a facial recognition platform developed specifically for investigative use—designed to be affordable, effective, and officer-friendly.
At the core of everything he builds and teaches is the belief that the future of law enforcement depends on adaptability, continual learning, and empowering officers with the knowledge to meet threats head-on—both physical and digital.
Board of Directors
Every member of our board is dedicated to the mission of helping law enforcement combat technical crimes including child exploitation and human trafficking.