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Combat Cyber Crime

Combat Cyber Crime

Identifying Cyber Vulnerabilities

Today’s world is more interconnected than ever before. Yet, for all its advantages, increased connectivity brings increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse. As Americans become more reliant on modern technology, we also become more vulnerable to cyber attacks such as Corporate Security Breaches, Spear Phishing, and Social Media Fraud. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and each of us has a role to play in making it safer, more secure and resilient.

Collaborating to Enhance Cyber Security

To address the evolving threats and increased risks of cyber crimes, DHS works directly with public and private partners to enhance cybersecurity. We work to promote cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy amongst all Internet users.

DHS also collaborates with the financial and other critical infrastructure sectors to improve network security. Additionally, DHS components such as the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have special divisions dedicated to combating cyber crime.

Combating Cyber Crime

The Secret Service maintains Electronic Crimes Task Forces (ECTFs), which focus on identifying and locating international cyber criminals connected to cyber intrusions, bank fraud, data breaches, and other computer-related crimes. The Secret Service’s Cyber Intelligence Section has directly contributed to the arrest of transnational cyber criminals responsible for the theft of hundreds of millions of credit card numbers and the loss of approximately $600 million to financial and retail institutions. The Secret Service also runs the National Computer Forensic Institute, which provides law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges with cyber training and information to combat cyber crime.

ICE’s Cyber Crimes Center (C3) works to prevent cyber crime and solve cyber incidents. From the C3 Cyber Crime Section, ICE identifies sources for fraudulent identity and immigration documents on the Internet. C3's Child Exploitation Section investigates large-scale producers and distributors of child pornography, as well as individuals who travel abroad for the purpose of engaging in sex with minors.

In fiscal year (FY) 2011, DHS prevented $1.5 billion in potential losses through cyber crime investigations and announced charges against 72 individuals for their participation in an international criminal network dedicated to the sexual abuse of children and the creation and dissemination of graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse throughout the world.

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