In a continuously changing World, new and imminent threats to national and international security are emerging constantly. Today, the world is dependent on technology to such an extent that it cannot function properly without it. Technology, particularly information technology (IT), has played a tremendous role in the globalization and interdependence of the world, where every sector of society is dependent on IT. While the obvious advantages of this technology are evident, its harmful consequences cannot be ignored. As the digital landscape evolves, one of the most urgent concerns is the growing threat of cybercrime.
Cybercrime can be defined as any illegal act committed using the internet, computer, and/or telecommunication technology. It may involve the stealing of sensitive and valuable data from individuals, organizations, or states. Online scams, fake websites, propaganda against countries, and using malicious software (malware) such as viruses, worms, Trojans, or ransomware to infect computers or networks are all included in cybercrimes. Cybercrimes using distributed denial of service (DDoS) can completely disrupt state activity, as happened in Estonia (2007) and Georgia (2008).
Cybercrimes are not limited to national boundaries; rather, these are the most common types of cross-border or transnational crimes. Any system located in any part of the world, if connected to the internet, is vulnerable to cybercrime from any other part of the world. A cyber expert living in a poor town in Dhaka, Bangladesh, can significantly disrupt the system of any state agency in New York. As happened in October 2015, when the most powerful and secure intelligence agency, the CIAwas hacked by two teenagers, one of them was living in the UK. This incident highlights the possibility of high-profile transnational cyber attacks.
Today, most of the major sectors like business, finance, trade, politics, administration, defense, etc. are highly dependent on information technology (IT) and thus vulnerable to well-planned cyber attacks. In an incident in 2018, 614 GB of sensitive data related to weapons, sensors, and communication on US submarines were stolen by Chinese hackers. In another case in 2015, the German Parliament was attacked by cybercriminals that caused serious disruption to 20,000 computers, and sensitive data was stolen.
This transnational or international dimension is of great value for the criminals because it will be extremely challenging to detect the offenders in another country. For instance, a cyber expert living in a remote village in Sindh, Pakistan, will feel very safe while launching a cyber attack on a military headquarters in Moscow, Russia. Furthermore, it is important to mention that the disparity in rules and regulations regarding cybercrimes in various countries is another obstacle to tracing and capturing the offenders; even today, there are countries where cybercrime laws are nonexistent.
So, cybercrimes represent a potential threat expanding across the globe. Global issues need global solutions. It is essential for all the countries to come together and join hands to confront the growing threat of cybercrime. Previous efforts include Workshop 3 of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar (2015), which was especially focused on cybercrimes. Furthermore, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which became effective on July 1, 2004, was the first treaty related to computer- and internet-based crimes. While the Budapest Convention lays the foundation for international cooperation against cybercrimes, more efforts are needed to combat the complex issue.
Sharing information regarding cybercrimes, making a comprehensive international law regarding the issue, and using advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning (ML), zero trust architecture (ZTA), and blockchain can significantly reduce cybercrimes and contribute to a safe and secure world.
The writer is a student of “BS International Relations” at “International Islamic University Islamabad” and a member of PYDIR.