Essay on Cyber Crime and National Security

Times have changed what was known as organized crime has been replaced by Cybercrimes (Heists: Cybercrimes with Ben Hammersley). Cybercrimes have risen dramatically in recent years and have become a major issue the United States and company’s face today jeopardizing as well as threatening the critical infrastructure of America (Cyberwar Threat, 2005). Sadly, the status quo of cyber security is very unstable with the advancements and growth which has put most individuals and businesses into an enormous threat (Agustina, 2015).

There is no doubt that cyber crime is a problem. In fact, it is currently costing the global economy over $400 billion per year. A 2013 study

Criminals have always been around, but cybercrime is something new. It has only been around since the 60s, but it has grown exponentially. Why? Is cybercrime somehow different? Criminals engage in cybercrime for the simple reason that it is easier than conventional crime, there are no witnesses, and they can make more money faster. Cybercrime investigators are few and far between, and there is little cooperation among different jurisdictions. Nevertheless, as technology advances, so does the number of people who see that cybersecurity is a growing field and is needed to maintain the integrity of commerce locally and globally.

Johannes Xingan Li of Tallin University indicts about the progression of computers and cyber crime history. The conception of this evaluation is that cyber crime and hackers have existed since the invention of computers. “The faster the speed of information processing is, the broader the network connection covers, the more users are engaged in the information industry, and the more dependent on information modern society becomes, the higher the risks and the more serious the threats people will have to face. Naturally, the number and gravity of cyber crime will also increase.” With this being said, no laws combating cyber crimes existed until they became more prominent. This source serves as a back bone explicating how the law is lacking in online crimes progressively since the beginning. To understand the progression of these crimes, you must understand how it all started. The author makes valid historical connections and gives detail to how cyber crimes are growing. He makes a point that there will be no end to online crimes but we can lead up to an “equilibrium” of laws regarding cyber crimes and the actual crime

Cyber-crimes are any crime committed using the Internet. Computer crimes laws in numerous states ban a person without permission to perform access to a computer system, or network improperly. Cyber-crimes are committed in the United States by the magnitude of online crimes, which is costing the country millions of dollars. Technology is growing fast and getting smarter, alongside the risks of cyber intrusions are becoming more dangerous and severe to the country

Cyber crime spans not only state and national boundaries, but the international boundaries as well. At the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders, in a workshop devoted to the issues of crimes related to computer networks, cybercrime was broken into two categories and defined thus:

Abstract- We are in a state where without computer and internet life does not seem possible. From the time of the evolution of computer and internet, large scale industries, commercial institutions, financial institutions have become more dependent on cyber space. But at the same time cyber crimes have become the biggest threat to the users of information technology. Considering cyber crimes, many countries have come-up with cyber laws, some countries have implemented them and some will implement. This essay has attempted to deal with cyber crimes and cyber laws; it has tried to solve the problems relating to cyber crimes.

Cyber Crime is described as criminal activity committed via use of electronic communications with respect to cyber fraud or identity theft through phishing and spoofing. There are many other forms of cyber-crime also such as harassment, pornography etc. via use of information technology.

Cyber terrorism is a new class of threat to the world. This is one of the extreme cases of hacking. Here, instead of physical terror efforts are focused upon attacking information systems or resources especially using World Wide Web. Cyber terrorists use computer systems and software to create violence and loss by breaking security of target systems or by stealing/corrupting computer systems. Unlike hackers, Cyber terrorists usually work under political or ideological influence and always more harmful than a hacker. However it’s always possible that a hacker can turn into a cyber terrorist by providing his technical skills to perform terrorist activities. Hacker himself can be a terrorist or can be hired by terrorist organizations for hacking. In this case, we see overlaps between hacking and cyber terrorism activities.

Cybercrime is a crime that is done using the internet (Burton, 2007). Cybercrime is growing as the internet has grown in popularity. We now use the internet to conduct business, to do banking, for our healthcare, and to communicate with our friends and family. The internet holds an amazing amount of information on people and businesses. The internet gives those who want to use this information for illegal purposes, a tool to access unlimited information. As the growth of the internet has exploded, so has cybercrime. Understanding how these crimes are committed, and how to protect information on the internet is vital.

Susan W. Brenner’s Cybercrime: Criminal Threats from Cyberspace is scary, exciting, and informative all in one book. It takes you on rollercoaster from start to finish as your eyes are opened to the realities of cybercrime and cybercriminals’ capabilities as our technologies have progressed. Brenner’s book is an excellent piece for those that are not savvy about technology terminology and cybercrime.

Prevalent to the current trend now is the dependency of the society on Information technology and communication systems. Every aspect of human life is one way or the other linked and controlled by information technology tools. The importance of information technology cannot be over emphasized as its unavailability could lead to a form of disaster or the other. Pivotal infrastructures like finance, healthcare, education and security are driven by information technology. However, information technology and its benefits are accompanied by vulnerabilities and risks that can be exploited by people with the necessary technical skills. Individuals like ‘Hackers’ and ‘Cyber Terrorist’ can cause disruption to information systems, commit financial fraud and also attack computers and networks. These attacks and disruptions could result to violence against people and properties. In some cases, death, serious injuries and severe economic loss could occur as a result of these attacks.

The fight against hackers and cyber crime is a global problem and nationally and internationally, the threats they caused have been recognized and acknowledged.

Cyber crime is defined as any crime that involves a computer and network. Individuals, businesses and government agencies around the world constantly face threats to their medical information, consumer data, as well as company trade information and military decisions. Cyber security specialists are professionals that are specifically trained to protect individuals and organizations from cyber crime, hackers and scammers.

Americans are becoming heavily dependent on modern day technology, which produce more vulnerability to cyber-attacks such as security breaches. Cyber security, also known as information technology security, is information security as applied to computers and computer networks. It is designed to protect networks, programs, computers and data from attacks. These attacks can lead to damages or unauthorized access to data. Computer security also includes protection from unplanned events and natural disasters. Cyber security main function is to guard computers, networks, programs and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change or destruction.