Cybercrime: Working Together to Mitigate Peace and Security Threats

Abstract

Cybercrime is becoming a growing threat to international peace and security. Attacks against critical infrastructures such as hospitals and energy suppliers endanger basic public services. In some cases, states cover for cybercriminals or even use their activities for political purposes. This topic is therefore highly volatile internationally, and escalating interstate tensions in the wake of cyberattacks is a real threat. In view of the upcoming UN negotiations on a "Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes," three points are essential. First, existing best practices of cross-border cooperation should be strengthened. Second, new instruments that can help to curb escalation and close protection gaps need to be developed. Finally, repressive regimes must be prevented from committing human rights violations under the pretext of fighting crime.