[ISN] Tracking Global CyberCrime

From: mea culpa (jerichoat_private)
Date: Fri Sep 25 1998 - 13:59:52 PDT

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    Tracking Global Cybercrime
    by Claudia Graziano
    4:00 a.m.  25.Sep.98.PDT
    
    The International Chamber of Commerce said Thursday that it will open a
    new division to help companies around the world protect themselves against
    cybercrime. 
    
    "Basically, any scams you can do terrestrially you can do even easier in
    cyberspace," said Eric Ellen, the chamber's executive director, who will
    take the reins of the new division. 
    
    The London-based unit will work with Interpol to fight heavy-duty
    technological thievery -- such as money laundering, industrial espionage,
    and investment fraud -- as opposed to small-time consumer scams like
    selling nonexistent goods online. 
    
    Interpol chief Ray Kendall said the international police agency had been
    pushing for years for such an alliance with the private sector since it
    could move more quickly than governments in purchasing the equipment
    needed to investigate high-tech crime. 
    
    The cybercrime unit will provide the 7,000 International Chamber of
    Commerce members with information about how and where the myriad types of
    crimes are committed on the Net and what businesses can do to protect
    themselves against crackers and fraud artists. 
    
    A Federal Trade Commission official praised the commission's efforts to
    raise domestic awareness of Internet fraud. 
    
    "We welcome any international effort to crack down on cyberfraud, because
    crime and fraud perpetrated against consumers or businesses only
    undermines the electronic marketplace and stifles the great opportunities
    available through Internet commerce," said Paul Luehr, an assistant
    director at the commission. 
    
    The chamber said it hopes to persuade governments, including the United
    States, to wipe out restrictions that limit the spread and availability of
    strong encryption algorithms. 
    
    That position flies in the face of US law enforcement, which currently
    limits the export of powerful crypto on the grounds that it might be used
    by terrorists.  Meanwhile, US crypto advocates have long said that ciphers
    are better suited to fighting crime than hiding it. 
    
    "There will be some lobbying on our part, but many businesses can't wait
    for laws,"  Ellen said. "Crimes cross international borders, yet existing
    laws [against cybercrime] are national." 
    
    The chamber's cybercrime unit will meet regularly with Interpol in Lyon,
    France, to exchange information and intelligence on cybercrime and its
    perpetrators. 
    
    Additionally, the chamber division plans to exchange information with the
    FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center and the FBI's National
    Security Awareness unit, which looks after the interests of US businesses. 
    
    Headquartered in Paris, the International Chamber of Commerce establishes
    rules that govern the conduct of businesses worldwide. The nonprofit group
    holds top-level consultative status with the United Nations, where it puts
    forward the views of business in countries around the world. 
    
    -o-
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