Future of Netcrime Now: Part 2--Responses

• NCJ Number: 209440
• Author(s): Sheridan Morris
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 51 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Home Office Online Report 63/04; downloaded April 11, 2005; for the first part of this two-part article, see NCJ-209439.

Annotation

Whereas the first part of this two-part report focused on the criminal threats and associated technological challenges related to the Internet, this second part of the paper addresses recommendations for responses to these threats and challenges.

Abstract

The recommendations stem from a consensus of a panel of experts that was also involved in the analysis of Part 1. Since this was a British study, many of the recommendations are relevant to the British Government. Although the report acknowledges that there is no single strategy for mitigating criminal threats perpetrated through the Internet, recommendations are proposed for government, law enforcement, the information communication industry, and individual users. All recommendations are conditioned by the recognition that "netcrime" is constantly evolving and changing in an effort to defeat each prevention measure devised. The responses proposed are based in the situational crime prevention model, so the 30 recommendations express the following crime prevention concepts: build it secure; educate users to operate it secure; and where appropriate, encourage high-risk users to invest in matching preventive measures. Also, measures can be taken to remove or restrict the resources available to the offenders. Recommended law enforcement measures relate to informed investigative management coupled with improved forensic capability that will require netcrime offenders to increase their knowledge and techniques in order to avoid detection. National and international cross-sector forums will facilitate the sharing of security information, incident detection, and offender tracking. A major effort of any crime prevention strategy must be to educate users about what they can do and investments they can make to take advantage of various security options available on the market. This is particularly important for commercial enterprises that deal in large databases of sensitive information which, if acquired by criminals, could lead to large-scale anonymous victimizations. 17 tables, 4 figures, and 23 references