Cybercrime - Holland strikes back

Tackling cybercrime organized internationally

Only with international cooperation can the perpetrators be caught, which is why countries work together in the cybercrime departments of Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), Europol and Interpol.

The Netherlands actively participates in these international partnerships, most of which are even based in The Hague. Locally, we also know the Dutch National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) of the National Police Services Agency, Joint Sigint Cyber Unit (JSCU ) of the AIVD and the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC).
Specialists from the JSCU also help keep the Dutch Internet safe as part of the National Cyber Security Strategy.

The Netherlands is an international player in the field of Internet infrastructure, which also makes it an attractive target for cyber attacks. Fortunately, the Netherlands is also very active in the field of IT innovation and the online sector, business and government are increasingly able to defend themselves against cybercrime. In October, for example, there was an event called "Holland Strikes Back" that focused plenty of attention on the consequences of and solutions to the most notable cybersecurity incidents of the last few years. This event is part of Alert Online, the national awareness campaign for cybersecurity of the Ministry of Security and Justice.

India, China and Russia are coming along in a limited way in terms of technology in this area. International cooperation with these countries is growing, but trust still needs to be built.

Role of the US Secret service

In the US, October was declared National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2015 . The US Secret service started in 1906, almost 150 years ago. Its purpose was to safeguard financial transactions. This was sorely needed because 60% of money was counterfeit (about 1% today). Tracking down counterfeiters worked fine. However, in 1984 the focus shifted to credit card fraud. In 1998 identity theft was added and in 2001 the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) or in full the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.

The US Secret Service currently has two main tasks: to ensure the integrity of the financial system and to protect world leaders. Hence, it plays an important role in international cooperation; also with the Netherlands.

Tackling perpetrators of cybercrime

It is usually possible to find the perpetrators of cybercrime, especially if all parties cooperate well internationally. The problem, however, is that the hackers are often in a country where they are elusive due to the lack of necessary international treaties. Then it's a matter of waiting for the perpetrators to travel. Often they do because they earn so much from their criminal activities that they have no idea what to do with that money. Large cities like Amsterdam are then a popular destination.