Page 27 - Coespu Magazine 2018-2

Taking action where we can to stop Cybercrime

Cyber. It is the inescapable prefix defining our world today. From the privacy of individuals
to relations between states, cyber dominates discussions and headlines – so much so that we

risk being paralyzed by the magnitude of the problems we face.
But we would do well to keep in mind that despite the many outstanding questions on the
future of cybersecurity and governance, international cooperation is essential to tackle the
ever-growing threats of cybercrime.
Online exploitation and abuse of children. Darknet markets for illicit drugs and firearms.
Ransomware attacks. Human traffickers using social media to lure victims. Cybercrime’s
unprecedented reach – across all borders, into our homes and schools, businesses, hospitals
and other vital service providers – only amplifies the threats.
A recent estimate put the
global cost of cybercrime
at 600 billion US dollars.
The damage done to
sustainable development
and safety, to gender
equality and protection –
women and girls are
disproportionately
harmed by online sexual
abuse – is immense.
Keeping people safer
online is an enormous
task and no one entity or
government has the perfect solution. But there is much we can do, and need to do more of, to
strengthen prevention and improve responses to cybercrime, namely:

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