Lax reporting of cybercrime

People are fairly passive in reporting cybercrime to the police. Companies and private individuals need advice on how the reports are filed and how the criminal process proceeds. A study completed at the Police University College of Finland proposes a number of measures to combat cybercrime that are relatively quick and easy to implement.

Cybercrime can be addressed and investigated efficiently if the authorities have a clear picture of the overall situation and cooperation between the parties involved works smoothly. The exchange of information between companies and investigators should also be smooth and efficient, concludes a report issued by the Police University College.

"The study was carried out in close cooperation with cybercrime investigators and it yielded a range of tangible proposals to improve police action,” says Detective Superintendent Timo Piiroinen, who served on the project steering group and took part in the workshop.

“There’s widespread interest in sharing information and intensifying cooperation, and what’s more, the situation picture can be improved with the existing resources,” he continues.

Active reporting encouraged by provision of advice

Cybercrime means offences targeting data networks and the services provided in these networks.

According to the report, steps should be taken to encourage victims to report cybercrime. Companies would like to have more information on how to report the crimes and how to follow the criminal investigations. For instance, reporting activity could be encouraged by setting up a corporate customer help desk at the Cybercrime Center of the National Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, data security companies could offer advice in managing the process.

To improve the capabilities of the police and other authorities to formulate a clear situation picture, the report proposes a shared IT system and rotation of public officials.

“Another future challenge is how to integrate research data into the situation picture and the exchange of information between the authorities. No such collaborative structures exist at the moment even though there’s widespread interest in creating such a system,” says Timo Piiroinen.

Government Programme calls for a shared situation picture

The project “Overview of Cybercrime” now completed is part of the comprehensive cybercrime programme launched by the police. Underlying the project is the Government’s policy objective of creating a shared situation picture of the state of security in Finnish data networks and communications.

The body of data consists of thematic interviews and the documentation produced by experts workshops. The project was co-financed by the Government analysis, assessment and research activities in support of decision-making. Other parties involved in the project were the Police Cyber Crime Division, Ficora’s Cyber Security Centre and the University of Tampere. The project was carried out as part of the implementation of the 2014 Government plan for analysis, assessment and research.

The report (in Finnish) is available at: http://tietokayttoon.fi/julkaisu?pubid=11117 

More information on the government analysis, assessment and research activities: tietokayttoon.fi/en

Inquiries: Timo Piiroinen, Detective Superintendent, National Bureau of Investigation, tel. 0295 486 620, [email protected]