Cyber crime

significant operational challenges, which result from an increased demand for adequate resources, training, and equipment to address cyber crime. Traditional law enforcement agencies, taking into account the police culture and the constraints of their operation, are facing difficulties competing in the technology industry. The constant and rapid change of the technologies requires serious cooperative attention devoted to the issue of cyber crime by well-trained and well-equipped investigators, prosecutors and forensic experts to meet investigative and prosecutorial needs (Marcella & Greenfield, 2002; Herrera, 2001).

Cyber criminals' actions are outpacing law enforcement's ability to respond effectively. In order to be effective, law enforcement cyber crime investigators must not only possess investigative capabilities, but must also have specialized skills, training and technical expertise in computer technology. Prosecutors must understand the jargon of high technology crimes and be able to explain it to a judge and jury. Forensic experts must be knowledgeable in recovering, analyzing, protecting, and handling digital evidence that is easily lost and altered (Herrera, 2001).

We live in the Information Age where technologies are quickly changing. Binary numbers control the world; atomic police evidence is gradually shifting to electronic ones and zeros. Cyber criminals use cutting-edge technological equipment and tools to commit their crimes. Thus, it is essential that investigators, prosecutors, and forensic experts are introduced to high tech equipment and are provided up-to-date technological training to be effective in combating cyber crime. Forensic computer training should become one of the in-service training courses in police academies nationwide.

Law enforcement experts need to be properly equipped with the latest hardware and software in order to keep pace with the criminals. A review of the literature states that police agencies in general are slow in responding to cyber crimes. Local law enforcement's capabilities differ depending on the size, location, and resources (Gates, 2001). Many local law enforcement agencies do not possess the knowledge or the necessary equipment to enforce cyber crime laws (Speer, 2000).

Police agencies are in lack of money, time and technology to maintain pace with the criminals who have unlimited time, unlimited resources and unlimited access to new technology (Stranberg, 1999). Computer crime poses a profound challenge to the investigator, which will grow and become a more profound challenge for police operations in the future (Laska, 1997). Law enforcement agencies are discovering that technology has produced highly sophisticated criminals and has altered the way they must investigate crimes.

Most law enforcement agencies lack adequate staffing or funding to handle cyber crime (Goodman, 2001). It is easy to explain to city officials during a budget process that violent crime is on the rise, because it fears citizens; yet, it is difficult to obtain funding for cyber crime that poses a huge financial damage, because the public views it as an intangible crime that does not pose physical violence (Groover, 1996). Unfortunately, it appears that the public, along with law enforcement and government administrators, is unaware of the real dangers of cyber crime.

Law enforcement management's lack of training and experience in cyber crime carries costly and time-consuming ramifications (Bequai, 1998). According to a NU nationwide study (2001), 70% of respondents reported that upper management had limited or no awareness of cyber crime issues. The federal budget for law enforcement in 2000 was about $17 billion of which only $10 million - less than 0. 01% of all law enforcement related spending - was allotted for cyber crime related training, staffing, and support (Lormel & Johnston, 2001).

A lack of support from the public and officials promotes Incompetent police forces, which in return, decreases the capacity to combat cyber crime. Cyber crime investigations require special investigative knowledge and technical expertise, which is another challenging area. Law enforcement officials have faced problems finding individuals that possess both technical and investigative knowledge and training to handle cyber crime cases. Law enforcement training that prioritizes state and local police needs is a key element to deal with cyber crime threats (Johnston, 2002).

Investigators must be properly trained In evidence recovery, and forensic specialists must be trained in processing the evidence (Clede, 1993). Combined training in investigative, legal, and forensic skills will address the cyber crime problems and issues police agencies face (Collier & Spaul, 1992). Computers continue to advance day by day, which results in more opportunities and more literacy for cyber criminals. Cyber crime will not disappear; instead it will continue to grow. Estimates reveal the large growth of computer crimes as technology progresses.

According to the literature reviewed, law enforcement in general lacks the necessary training, resources, and equipment to deal with cyber crime cases. The loss that cyber crime causes to our nation and to the world is substantial; thus, cyber crime must not be perceived as any less important than traditional crimes. The less attention devoted to cyber crime, the wider the gap will grow between the advanced technologies used by criminals and law enforcement's investigative operational capabilities.

Source: law aspect