Technology in organised crime circles more disturbing than hackers
Criminal use of technology is not only putting a serious dent in worldwide economic productivity, it's also pushing police resources to the limit, according to one cybercrime expert. Bill Bogart, vice-president in the global law enforcement program with Electronic Data Systems in Washington, DC, is in Saskaton, Saskatchewan this week to speak to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police about the issue at that group's annual general meeting and conference.
The security veteran says his message to them will be the same one he's been telling the law enforcement community for years -- that tackling cybercrime is fast becoming a number one priority, and it is one of the most difficult tasks facing them. Perhaps more disturbing than the hackers is the growing appeal of technology in organised crime circles....
Cybercrime bite starting to hurt, says EDS
Growing appeal of technology in organised crime circles more disturbing than hackers
Michael MacMillan, TORONTO
"Cybercrime is all new. It's not replacing something, it's come as fast as the technology has. I kid about the term, but there aren't that many sheriffs on the information highway," Bogart says.
There are more than enough criminals, however. Causing mayhem on computer networks is nothing new, starting with the days of the lone programmer hacking for kicks. But Bogart says that has steadily evolved into today's much more organized -- and dangerous -- hacker networks.
Bogart points to the Code Red worm, already estimated to have caused at least $US3 billion in lost productivity worldwide, as the work of well-organised experts.
"That is probably one of the most devastating activities we've seen on the internet," he says.
According to Bogart, groups in Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as the Mafia and South American drug cartels regularly use the Internet to transfer money wirelessly across borders, manipulate the stock market and communicate with each other anonymously.
As well, human smugglers are creating sophisticated network links to coordinate everything from ship landings to payments.
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