Cyber Crime

Getting Started

The United States is a nation of laws. Fundamental to this notion is the concept of jurisdiction. Jurisdiction can be broken down into two categories, geographical jurisdiction and subject matter jurisdiction. Geographical jurisdiction is relatively easy to understand: Each state has multiple levels of policing organizations that have jurisdiction over crimes that occur within their respective geographical boundaries (state, county, town, city, etc.). Federal law enforcement agencies, on the other hand, have geographical jurisdiction within the boundaries of the United States, without concern for state boundaries. Yet, each federal law enforcement agency or department has subject matter jurisdictional limits. For instance, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which is part of the Department of Justice, has jurisdiction over nearly 200 federal crimes, including white collar crimes, kidnapping, extortions, interstate transportation of stolen property, civil rights violations, etc. While most lay persons would recognize and identify the FBI as the federal law enforcement agency with the responsibility of investigating cybercrime, there are a number of other federal law enforcement agencies that have key roles in the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime. Agencies such as the Air Force, Army, Navy, Immigration and Customs, and the Secret Service all have a role in cybercrime investigations.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Evaluate the goals of a federal agency that deal with cybercrimes, as defined by that agency.

Resources

· Textbook: Cybercrime and Digital Forensics: An Introduction

· Website: Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

· Website: NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service

· Website: U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations

· Website: U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command

· Website: U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Combating Cyber Crime

· Website: OCLS Critical Evaluation Checklist for Internet Websites

· IWU Resources

Background Information

Understanding agency jurisdiction is important because each agency will have different resources available to them, depending on their jurisdictional authority. As you review the readings and resources provided, identify the key priorities of each agency as they relate to the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes. Be sure to identify key priorities from the agency or department involved with the prevention, investigation, and criminal prosecution of cybercrimes.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Review the following chapters in the textbook, Cybercrime and Digital Forensics: An Introduction, as needed to support your writing in this assignment:

a. Chapter 1, “Technology and Cybercrime”

b. Chapter 3, “Computer Hackers and Hacking”

3. Explore the following websites:

a.

Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips

b.

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service

https://www.ncis.navy.mil/

c.

U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104502/air-force-office-of-special-investigations/

d.

U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command

e.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Combating Cyber Crime

4. After exploring the websites, select an agency, section or department on one of the websites that is involved with the prevention, investigation, and criminal prosecution of cybercrimes. Pick a key priority from the agency, section or department involved with the prevention, investigation, and criminal prosecution of cybercrimes.

5. In a 750- to 1,000-word essay:

a.

Define the priority you chose. Explain why you selected that priority.

b. Now, assume that you are in charge of the organization you have chosen. Explain why you would expand your agency’s authority to encompass other types of cybercrimes that should be a priority for your organization.