This morning, CNN.com featured a very thought provoking front page story on Cyber Crime.  What I especially liked was the discussion of return on investment and whether having the police try to catch them was even worth the effort.  I highlight it as a good thought piece for a Monday morning commute.

image

Here is the link to the story –

CNN.com – Is chasing cybercrooks worth it? by John D. Sutter

“This week’s arrests of three men in connection with one of the world’s largest computer-virus networks may seem like great news — perhaps even a sign authorities are starting to win the war against cyberthieves.

But the real situation is more complicated.”

I have to admit that I think that the story is a little disingenuous to the whole problem of cyber crime.  I am not so sure that the argument that it is hard, expensive, and confusing is really a good one for not doing it.  It is a very similar argument that those opposed to the “War on Drugs” use to justify legalizing drug use.  Nevertheless, it is a popular, and now public, discussion that information technology professionals should be involved in.

I, for one, think that we need to increase the size of our counter-cyber crime units at all levels of law enforcement.  I believe that there is nothing, but a growth industry when it comes to crime online.  I doubt that we have even seen 1% of what is possible for criminal activity that involves cyberspace.  I say more, not less, engagement is needed by the police.

What do you think about this topic?  Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have a recommended news story for next week? Please share your ideas below.

That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 8, 2010  by Scott Coughlin.

Image Credit: Money Magazine


Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • email
  • Digg
  • Twitter
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Technorati
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • MySpace
  • Google Bookmarks
  • RSS
  • PDF

Related posts:

  1. News Commentary: Lions and Tigers and CyberWar – Oh My! You know that a topic has become du jour when...
  2. News Commentary: Is There Any Truth in the Google Hacking Story? On Sundays I offer comments on some of the most...
  3. News Commentary: Where Does Cybercrime Come From? On Sundays I offer comments on some of the most...
  4. News Commentary: One Webcam Per Child On Sundays I offer comments on some of the most...
  5. Book Recommendation – Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do about It by Richard A. Clarke I have a book recommendation for all Information Professionals, military...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.