ACTSO conference In this feature l cyber crime l high-tech fraud l educating consumers 3 1 2 Tangled enforcement web in sharp relief Ivy Hughes recounts the alarming outcome of an unofficial poll on cyber crime, taken at this years annual conference for the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers, held in Londons ancient and impressive Guildhall H ow many audience members have been victims of traditional crime? asked Peter Goodman, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) lead for e-crime. About six hands went up in the audience. How many have fallen victim to cyber crime, he then enquired and 15 to 20 people raised their hands, a scary deviation, considering the audience comprised trading standards officers attending this years Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) conference. Goodmans simple research results prompted him to offer this sobering comment: Policing cyber crime is a bit like trying to eat an elephant, or to win a grand prix without a car. According to National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) figures, fraud cost the UK 52 billion in 2013. As police and trading standards officers are well aware, the shift from traditional fraud crime to cyber crime has been seismic. In fact, 70 per cent of fraud reported to Action Fraud is cyber-based. That is increasing every day, said Det Supt Peter ODoherty, head of the NFIB. We are trying to move away from traditional enforcement. Part of our mission is to make fraud a globalpriority. To tackle cyber crime globally, citizens and industry need to increase their reporting of it, said ODoherty, adding that people dont report cyber crime because they either dont trust the police, or dont understand the large-scale threat that the crime poses. Businesses often fail to report cyber crime because they worry that reporting it will damage their brand and reputation, he said. No one organisation in the private or public sector can effectively deal with, and tackle, cyber crime, said Andrew Archibald, deputy director of the National Crime Agency (NCA). Theres one key thing thats vital for a coordinated focus on cyber crime: we need to understand the threat, and we need access to intelligence and information about that threat. The newly formed National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) plans to do just that. So far, the NCCU which brings together specialists from numerous policing and intelligence agencies has developed international partnerships that have combated cyber-crime rings. In one instance, NCCU partners tackled malware dubbed Gameover ZeuS that was plaguing corporate computer systems around the world. Operated by Russian and Ukrainian hackers, its infestations resulted in more than 100 million in losses from account takeovers. This international effort called Operation Tovar cut communication between Gameover ZeuS and its command-and-control servers. It is one example of effective information sharing between the public and private sectors, Archibald said. We need to build trust with the private sector, and get them to trust that this type ofinformation will be shared appropriately, he added. In terms of expanding communications and information-sharing capabilities, the NFIB is creating a bulk reporting system, and one that tracks the progress ofcomplaints and investigations. Audience members questioned communications and intelligence sharing among the NFIB, police and trading standards, particularly when a complaint falls more within trading standards remit than the polices. ODoherty said partnersare working to strengthen these lines of communications. While the vast nature of the internet creates one problem for enforcement, issues closer to home present another. Young people are going to turn to cyber crime because its easy, said ACTSO chairman, Graham Venn. Young people dont always understand that methods of gaining free access to certain sites or services are illegal. In many instances, they understand their use isnt exactly legal look at Napsters popularity but proceed anyway, because they think everyone else is doing it. They dont understand the impact theyre having on business, consumers, and organised crime. It is vital that trading standards, the police and other organisations work in partnership. Greater cooperation and sharing of intelligence is key to tackling the growing problem of online crime. Cyber-crime prevention tools such as teaching children about cyber crime and the negative impact it has on businesses and consumers as well as general consumer education, can prevent a significant cyber crime detriment. Janet Faulkner, group manager for Warwickshire Trading Standards, said 80per cent of cyber crime could be prevented by consumers taking a few cautionary steps, including protecting passwords and using secure internet networks. Tony Neate, chief executive of GetSafeOnline a government security service to help consumers stay safe on the internet echoed this sentiment, encouraging consumers not to mention their vacation dates via social media networks, or conduct financial transactions on sites without the https precursor. You wouldnt share your toothbrush, Neate said. Dont share yourpassword! As with any burgeoning new industry, tackling cyber crime requires skill sets thatare different from traditional enforcement activities so groups such asACTSO, and trading standards officers,areworking on this development challenge. The trading standards profession should be rightly proud of the steps it has taken to ensure online crime is tackled effectively at a local, regional and national level, said Mike Andrews, of the National Trading Standards eCrime Team. The training programme being rolled out in the coming months will ensure all officers have the opportunity to undertakean internet investigations course, which will equip them with the skills to remain at the forefront of tackling online scams. Above: 1. Tony Neate, chief executive of GetSafeOnline 2. Det Supt Peter ODoherty, head of National Fraud Intelligence Bureau 3. Janet Faulkner, group manager for Warwickshire Trading Standards According to NFIB figures, fraud cost the UK 52 billion in 2013 The shift from traditional fraud crime to cyber crime has been seismic 70 per cent of fraud reported to Action Fraud is cyber-based 5 6 4 4. Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, ACPO lead for ecrime 5. Graham Venn, Actso chairman 6. Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Credits Published You might also like: Ivy Hughes is a TSI communications 25 November, 2014 Animal welfare November 2014 executive. Images: Jamie McDonald To share this page, click on in the toolbar TS TODAY