NCJ Number
92991
Date Published
1981
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The importance of computer crime is considered by examining its growth, average losses, probability of occurrence, its catastrophic nature, and how the experts, practitioners, and general public view it.
Abstract
The varying definitions of 'computer crime' make consideration of its importance problematic. This paper uses the definition of 'computer abuse' in examining cases. If growth is any indication of the importance of computer abuse, then the growth of the use of the computer, particularly smaller computers, would indicate the potential importance of computer crime. Further, even the lowest estimates of the average loss from a computer crime indicate that it is significantly more costly than other types of white collar crime, again suggesting its importance; however, a generous estimate of the probability of the occurrence of computer crime at any given installation is .05, a low figure even with generous allowance for the unknown data on detection and nonreporting. From this perspective, computer crime does not appear to be important. The possible catastrophic consequences of computer abuse to small businesses operating on the fringes of profitability data. Very few businesses appear to have collapsed as a result of computer crime. Although the experts who write about computer crime view it is a serious threat, electronic data processing practitioners are less threatened by it. The public, on the other hand, is intrigued by computer crime and tends to consider it important. Fourteen references are provided.