Cyber-crime reporting on the increase

Four UK companies have started investigations into incidences of high-tech crime using the new Confidentiality Charter, launched last year by the National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU).

The Charter provides a framework for investigating criminal activity while minimising disruption of day-to-day trading.

It was designed to increase the reporting of crime, which is constantly underreported due to corporate fears of the financial and publicity effects of an investigation.

Companies can choose not to prosecute provided none of the crimes have infringed on members of the public, under the European Convention on Human Rights.

"We're getting steady contacts from companies to the crime unit," said detective chief superintendent Len Hynds, head of the NHTCU.

"We've instigated four long-term criminal investigations into activities within these companies using the guidelines set out in the Charter. So far the results have been very encouraging."

Hynds would not go into details of the investigations, although the unit first targeted financial services firms to sign up for the Charter.

In conjunction with the UK's National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre, the NHTCU is now looking to persuade the transport sector and the petrochemicals industry to come on board. It has also identified internet service providers as a priority.

But the NHCTU still has work to do to establish regional task forces, although the speed of progress has been well within the benchmarks set.

"Some local forces already have excellent units in place," said Hynds. "Others have little or none and we're trying to support them in gaining the skills to investigate and record crime while maintaining pressure to see that they do."

There will also be a national conference in May with local groups working with the NHTCU looking to spread the message further.

The unit organises over 160 skilled local officers to create teams for regional high-tech crime centres across the country.

Hynds, midway through his three-year contract, wants to stay in his position for the foreseeable future, despite his concerns over the demands that cases such as operation Ore, which is investigating online paedophilia, have on his budget.

"At the moment it's a blank canvas," he said. "The people here are keen and committed and we're building a unit that is going to be an essential part of the future of policing."

The unit will be getting 10 more officers this year. While it receives many offers of help from computer professionals, it is mainly looking for two skills sets.

Computer forensics specialists are in demand for analysing seized hardware and software, while network investigators who understand protocols, know how to collect admissible evidence and can work with the industry are also wanted.

See also:

Government to set out e-crime strategy

Framework to look at hacking and denial of service  14 Jul 2003

NHTCU issues stark cyber-crime warning

Organised crime moving in for the kill, Infosec delegates told  30 Apr 2003

Vigilance is vital, say cyber-crime cops

National Hi-Tech Crime Unit warns against complacency, despite recent arrests  17 Feb 2003

Police issue virus warning

The National Hi-Tech Crime Unit has warned firms not to become complacent about antivirus protection, despite fewer reported virus infections last year  17 Feb 2003

Hacker duo arrested over TK worm

Two men detained after combined FBI/National Hi-Tech Crime Unit swoop  07 Feb 2003

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