By Graham Hayday, 9 December 2002 10:05
NEWS The number of organised criminals using the net as a vehicle for illicit activity is on the up, according to DCS Len Hynds, head of the UK's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. In a keynote address to the UK's first 'e-crime congress' today, DCS Hynds highlighted the threat posed by organised criminals - and said that he believes online offences are not currently being taken sufficiently seriously. "Hi-tech crime is increasing significantly," he said. "The internet provides organised crime groups driven by profit with lucrative opportunities in a relatively low-risk theatre of operations. "We must question the mindset that recoils from the thought of breaking into a house and stealing, but condones the equivalent act in cyberspace." He added: "Hi-tech crime is every type of crime but with a component placing it into the digital environment. This makes it an aggravated version of the original offence because it is able to operate instantaneously, remotely and with disregard for sovereignty and geography. "As it becomes easier for criminals to target multiple victims, hide assets, and cover the evidence trail I believe we must challenge the existing misguided perception that high-tech crime is somehow less serious than its mainstream equivalent." The key issues under discussion at the e-crime congress are the scope of high-tech crime, and partnership between organisations and law enforcement agencies. Speaking with DCS Hynds at the conference will be Bob Ainsworth MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, and Scott Charney, Chief Security Strategist for Microsoft.
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