How Do Cyber Crime Units Operate?

Cyber crime requires police involvement as well as other agencies.

Cyber crime is rising. As the technology becomes more sophisticated it becomes easier for cyber criminals to hide their acts. Law enforcement agencies must use a variety of techniques to catch cyber criminals. Law enforcement officials and the public need to work together to stop cyber crime.

Statutes

Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, need legal jurisdiction to investigate cyber crime. Some federal statutes that allow them access are the Trade Secrets Act and the The Internal Espionage Act. The FBI can also use injury to government property, and fraud related activity in connection with computers, to help with investigations.

Limitations

Not all law enforcement agencies are equipped to handle reports of cyber crime. The first point of contact is the local police. However, the case is then often referred to a cyber crime unit, which is better equipped to deal with the problem. This can create frustration for the victim, as the cyber crime unit could be at a distance.

Methods

Cyber crime units often liaise with a company's private security team to investigate the cyber crime. This is particularly true of large financial institutions that hire private security firms to protect their records and data.

References

• National Executive Institute Associates: Investigation of Cybercrime and Technology-related Crime
• CERT: How the FBI Investigates Computer Crime