NCJ Number
146519
Journal
Computer Security Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 1-12
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Emerging technologies are creating new challenges for law enforcement officials in their response to computer crime and require the education of law enforcement personnel, coordination of both the domestic and international law enforcement response, and legislative changes that reflect technological advances.
Abstract
Computer crime includes crime in which the computer is a target of the offense, crime in which the computer is a tool of the offense, and crime in which the computer is incidental to the offense. In the United States, computer fraud may cost businesses from $500 million to $5 billion per year. To address the problem, the Department of Justice has created a dedicated Computer Crime Unit. One of its main functions is to provide training, assistance, and expertise to prosecutors all over the country. Unit members, the FBI, and the Secret Service share information regarding ongoing computer crime investigations on a daily basis. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is a major tool for addressing crime. However, it needs several changes to criminalize the introduction of malicious programming codes into the computers, to change the focus from access to use, and to ensure that repeat offenders receive enhanced penalties. International cooperation and uniform policies for the investigation of computer crime are also needed.