Cyber Crime: A Growing Problem
| Author | Rita Esen |
| DOI | 10.1177/002201830206600308 |
| Published date | 01 June 2002 |
| Date | 01 June 2002 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Cyber
Crime:
A
Growing
Problem
Dr Rita Esen*
Abstract
The openness of the global
network
has given rise to a need to
protect
Internet
users against criminal activities online. The escalating
incidents of cyber crime have moved lawmakers in different systems to
focus on these
new
and
growing problems as they seek to
put
in place legal
procedures
and
frameworks to combat Internet-related offences. The
global
nature
of cyber crime has moved various governments
and
inter-
national organisations to promulgate laws
and
adopt international agree-
ments
that
will combat
Internet
crimes. These steps are being
taken
to give
Internet
users confidence by ensuring certainty in the legal requirements
relating to
the
use of
the
global network.
For electronic commerce to experience the level of growth
that
has been
predicted, security of electronic information is vital. By security' of
electronic information is meant the protection of availability, confidenti-
ality and integrity of information in cyberspace. Availability is the char-
acteristic which makes such information accessible and usable in the
required manner. Confidentiality is the characteristic which renders the
data inaccessible by unauthorised persons
and
entities. Integrity pre-
serves the accuracy of the information and provides the assurance
that
electronic data has
not
been altered.
It
has, however, been recognised
that
although the Internet offers
consumers greater access to information and opportunities, it provides
criminals
with
a
new
channel for committing fraud. Although the
concept of 'cyber crime' has not yet been given a generally accepted
definition, it conveys illegal activities largely or completely performed
using a computer connected to the Internet. In today's digital age it is
difficult
to
detect
and
tackle Internet crime as the law has found it
difficult to keep pace with technology.' This lawlessness on the Internet
may lead to lack of trust in electronic commerce on the part of con-
sumers
and
businesses.
In this open global network threats to electronic information security
can arise from internal and external sources. Internal manipulation of
electronic data by disgruntled employees and consultants is rampant.
These groups of people, who normally have valid access to their com-
pany's systems, may take steps to disrupt its business operations or steal
proprietary, sensitive or financial information. As insiders
know
how
•E-commerce Law Consultant. e-Business Centre, University of Northumbria.
1 The Trade
and
Industry Select Committee in its l Oth Report of July 1999 predicted
that business-to-business e-commerce worldwide will increase from $43 billion in
1998 to $300 billion by 2002; the International Data Corporation has predicted
that
e-commerce
between
businesses and consumers would grow from $7 billion
worldwide in 1998 to $80 billion in 2002.
2'Internet Crime Causes Problems For Law Enforcers'. 12 December 1999. Reuters.
at
www.infowar.comilaw/99ilaw-where
it is stated
that
fighting cyber crimes is
limited by national legal constraints as the legal system depends on physical
evidence.
269
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