The Nature of Groups and Organizations engaged in Cyber Crime
Write a draft of your final essay on the selected topic of cyber crime as well as a preliminary bibliography.
Introduction
Advancements in technology and the internet are gradually transforming the organizational life of modern crime. Today various types of organizational structures are involved in cybercrime as a form of organized crime. Moreover, there is the realization that the current cybercrime era is no longer dominated or characterized by hackers gaining access to computer systems either for just fun or notoriety. Instead, the growth and development of the modern digital economy, as well as the sophistication in technology, have dramatically transformed the criminal landscape. As such, organized criminal groups have gradually shifted their operation from the traditional way of conducting their crimes to the cyberspace, which are considered to be less risky or not easy to be found out. As such, while most organized crime today tends to be the work of highly skilled technicians directing their knowledge into criminal activity, conventional crime groups are beginning to leverage digital technology to advance their criminal objectives.
Definition and the General Scope of Cybercrime
The emergency of new technology often creates new opportunities for criminals to engage in new kinds of crimes. Cybercrimes are almost similar to traditional crimes, the only difference being the fact that it involves the use of digital computers and the internet to commit common and new types of crime (Luiijf, 2014). This definition implies that cybercrimes done over the internet tend to be an extension of the traditional crimes. Luiijf (2014) argues that most cybercrimes aim to attack information concerning individuals or corporations to destroy it or steal it to aid in the attainment of a specific objective.
Advancements in IT technology have brought about new threats and concerns to its end-user and society. However, Luiijf suggests that the majority of these threats that affect modern information technology landscape are predictable if the right measures are put in place. Luiijf adds that this problem persists because with every new information technology advancement programmers and developers fail to consider the previously identified threats and cybersecurity lessons taken. According to Ulsch (2014), every current and future senior executive must know about the cybercrime and understand the threats facing their organization. Ulsch (2014) adds that the ever-growing cybersecurity threats can be described as a perfect digital storm forming gradually. As such, the executives of different organizations can only be able to protect their companies if the real threats are identified, and appropriate action and awareness are created.
The Nature of Groups That Engage In Cyber Crimes
According to Bada (2018), cybercrime has shifted from lone attackers to a group activity with global networks. Some of the most famous cyber crime groups whose actions have had significant ramifications include the Anonymous, Lizard Squad, and Lulzsec. These groups have been involved in various cybercrimes that have led to the loss of information, finances, and reputational damages, among others, loses. Bada (2018) adds that the conventional organized crime groups have also begun incorporating cybercrime due to limited restrictions to entry, the opportunities of vastly expanding their operations, and the perceived anonymity provided by the internet. Considering that the cybercrime groups are comprised of individuals located worldwide, Bada (2018) indicates there is an increased formation of online criminal groups and the networks and platforms that enable their activities.
The Role of Organized Crime Groups and Solutions for collective cybercrimes
Organized cybercrime groups comprise of highly skilled individuals who use their knowledge in criminal activities. Soudijn and Zegers (2012) argue that organized cybercrime groups have a feasible approach to cybercrimes since they take nearly the same form, including personal data theft, fraud, copyright infringement, bullying, and cyberstalking, among others. Soudijn and Zeger (2012) add that it is also imperative to determine the types of crimeware used in attacks to provide effective solutions. Some of the crimeware or tools used in cybercrime include bots, Trojans, and Spyware. Once these crimes and tools of crimes have been established, Wadhwa and Arora (2017) suggest that the solutions are to ensure there are effective prevention, detection, and response measures. As such, this means that security is not a product but rather a process that ensures that the entire system is designed in a manner incorporating all the security measures, policies, and system components at all levels of prevention, detection, and response.
Conclusion
From the preceding, the study about organized cybercrime remains in its infancy. However, it is important to consider that every new application and technology will allow criminals to exploit. Conventional organized crime groups have begun incorporating cybercrime due to limited restrictions to entry, the opportunities of vastly expanding their operations, and the perceived anonymity provided by the internet. To keep track of these developments, it is important to understand the evolution of organized cybercrimes and the forms that these types of criminal activities are likely to take. As such, the executives of different organizations can only be able to protect their companies if the real threats are identified, and appropriate action and awareness are created.
References
Brennr, S. W. (2007). Cybercrime jurisdiction. Crime, Law and Social Change, 46(4-5), 189-206. doi:10.1007/s10611-007-9063-7
Broadhurst, R., et al. (2014) Organizations and Cyber Crime: An analysis of the nature of groups engaged in cyber crime. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 8(1).
Leukfeldt, E. R., Lavorgna, A. &Kleemans, E. R. (2016). Organised cybercrime or cybercrime that is organized? An assessment of the conceptualization of financial cybercrime as organized crime. Eur J Crim Policy Res, 12(3).
Luiijf, E. (2014). New and emerging threats of cyber crime and terrorism. Cyber Crime and Cyber Terrorism Investigator’s Handbook, 19-29. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800743-3.00003-7
Nurse, J.R.C. & Bada, M. (2018). The group element of cybercrime: Types, dynamics, and criminal operations. Oxford: Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre.
Soudijn, M. R., &Zegers, B. C. (2012). Cybercrime and virtual offender convergence settings. Trends in Organized Crime, 15(2-3), 111-129. doi:10.1007/s12117-012-9159-z
Tundis, A. (2018). Challenges and available solutions against organized cyber-crime and terrorist networks. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, 174.
Ulsch, M. (2014). Introduction: What every current and future senior executive must know about the cyber threat: A perfect Digital Storm is forming. Cyber Threat!, 1-16. doi:10.1002/9781118915028.ch00
Wadhwa, A. & Arora, N. (2017). A review on cyber crime: Major threats and solutions. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science, 8(5).
Wall, D. S. (2012). The devil drives a Lada: The social construction of hackers as Cybercriminals. Constructing Crime, 4-18. doi:10.1057/9780230392083_
