Handbook of Information Security: Information Warfare, Social, Legal, and International Issues and Security Foundations, Volume 2

Law Enforcement and Computer Security Threats and Measures

Mathieu Deflem and J. Eagle Shutt, University of South Carolina

Introduction

Computer Security, the Internet, and Cybercrimes

Establishing Computer Security Through National Laws

The Enforcement of National Laws Concerning Computer Security

Building a Global Legal Order to Protect Computer Security

Computer Security and International Policing

Variations of Global Policing

The Role of Interpol and Europol

Computer Security, Law Enforcement, and the Balance of Order and Liberty

The Coordination of Law and Law Enforcement

Policing Technology, Maintaining Liberty

Conclusion

Glossary

Cross References

References

INTRODUCTION

In the context of democratic societies, policing always involves a delicate task to provide security while also maintaining liberty. With the rapid expansion of computerized technologies and the Internet, this problem is posed even more acutely, for communication methods have not only expanded sharply, but the development of Internet technology has also brought about increased anonymity and freedom in communications. This situation creates a significant law enforcement problem as the same technologies that guarantee anonymity in legitimate transactions also provide new means to violate laws and to hide the identities of lawbreakers. Because of the cross-border nature of computers linked through networks, also, threats against computer security are often global in nature. By the very nature of the Internet ...