Three regional policing e-crime hubs to tackle what the authorities admit is the growing threat of cyber crime have been welcomed. The new hubs, in Yorkshire and the Humber, the Northwest and in East Midlands, were launched at the ACPO e-crime conference in Sheffield. Cyber crime has been identified in the National Security Risk Assessment as a ‘tier one’ threat alongside international terrorism, an international military crisis, and a major accident or natural hazard requiring a national response.
The government has granted £30m over four years to improve national capability to investigate and combat cyber crime.
Raj Samani, CTO, McAfee EMEA commented: “This additional police focus on cybercrime reflects the size of the problem. Despite improved security and international crackdown efforts, cybercrime has thrived since the Millenium, growing by double digits year after year. As we increasingly live our lives over the internet, it’s no surprise that the bad guys have moved their attacks online. With its rich landscape of e-commerce sites, paid services and online banking, the internet is a treasure trove of money and information that has proved irresistible to cybercrooks.
“While it’s great to see this commitment from the police, we also have to get better at protecting our personal information if we want to slow cybercriminals’ success. Technology can only take us so far: the rest is education and vigilance on the part of computer users.”
Background
The three new units will work alongside the Metropolitan Police Centre e-crime Unit (PCeU) which was established in October 2008 as part of the National e-Crime Programme.
ACPO lead on e-crime Deputy Assistant Commissioner Janet Williams said: “The Government has acknowledged a need to collaborate and provide a structured response to the cyber security of the UK and these three additional policing units are going to play a critical role in our ability to combat the threat.
“It is anticipated the hubs will make a significant contribution to the national harm reduction target of £504m. In the first six months of the new funding period alone we have already been able to show a reduction of £140m with our existing capability.
“While a training period is required before the hubs are fully functional they will undoubtedly provide an enhanced ability to investigate this fast growing area of crime and provide an improved internet investigation capability.”
James Brokenshire Minister for Crime and Security, pictured, said: “Cyber crime is a threat locally and nationally, and every police force in the country has to deal with its impact on people and businesses in their area.
“As well as leading the fight in their regions, these units mark a significant step forward in developing a national response to cyber crime, which will be driven by the new National Crime Agency.
“The government has committed £650million in the fight against e-crime.”
Regional e-crime co-ordinator, East Midlands Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: “There is no doubt that the proliferation of the internet has brought significant benefits to all across society, but unfortunately that also includes those who have criminal intent. We know that increasingly criminal networks are seeking to exploit cyber space for profit and we have a duty as police leaders to respond to protect individuals and communities.”
