Cybercrime, Cyberpolicing, and the Public

 Here are some further thoughts arising from the ACPO National Cyber Crime Conference held recently in the UK*.

DAC Janet Williams, ACPO’s e-Crime lead, summarized the current initiatives along these lines (apologies if I’ve introduced too many of my own preconceptions):

The UK intends to tackle cybercrime and make this one of the safest places to do business, safe for business and for the general public, as well as countering cyberthreats against the Critical National Infrastructure. The cyber-realm is not seen as a battle space, but as an enabler: whereas some states see it as an issue of national sovereignty and focus primarily on control, the UK view is focusing on protection online for individual privacy and expression. This is too important to be left to governments.
UK law enforcement is increasing its capacity and capability with the intention of gathering and understanding better threat intelligence, and providing an appropriate response. To this end, it is working towards a different way of working with industry.

I interpret this to include recognition that a one-way flow of intelligence towards law enforcement agencies isn’t sufficient: the police need to work with industry and academia, and build trust.  I’ve spent a certain amount of time liaising more-or-less informally with police forces in various contexts in recent years. Most of (continue reading...)