Russia emerges as the foremost hub of cybercriminal activity, followed closely by Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria, and Romania. Notably, the United Kingdom ranks eighth on the list, according to the first ever ‘World Cybercrime Index’. The index’s findings offer crucial insights for directing resources and countermeasures towards key cybercrime hotspots.
Following three years of intensive research, an international team of researchers have compiled the first ever ‘World Cybercrime Index’, which identifies the globe’s key cybercrime hotspots by ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime at a national level.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The index’s data was derived from a survey of 92 cybercrime experts worldwide, engaged in intelligence gathering and investigations. Experts were tasked with identifying countries known for specific types of cybercrime and assessing the impact, professionalism, and technical prowess of cybercriminals in each nation.
CHALLENGES IN MAPPING CYBERCRIME
Cybercrime’s clandestine nature presents significant challenges in accurately pinpointing offender locations. Offenders often obscure their identities and locations through various means, complicating detection efforts. The index addresses this challenge by leveraging expert insights to map cybercrime hubs.
UNDERSTANDING LOCAL DIMENSIONS OF CYBERCRIME
Beyond identifying top offender countries, the index aims to delve into the local factors influencing cybercrime production. Factors such as educational attainment, internet penetration, GDP, and corruption levels will be examined to unravel the contextual underpinnings of cybercriminal activity.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS AND FUNDING
The World Cybercrime Index represents a collaborative endeavor between the University of Oxford, UNSW Canberra, and CRIMGOV, a European Union-supported project. Funding from CRIMGOV, based at the University of Oxford and Sciences Po, has facilitated the index’s development.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH
The index’s publication marks a significant step in understanding and combating cybercrime globally. Future research endeavors will explore the interplay between national characteristics and cybercrime prevalence, enriching our understanding of this evolving threat landscape.
CATEGORIES OF CYBERCRIME ASSESSED
The index evaluated five major categories of cybercrime, encompassing technical products/services, attacks and extortion, data/identity theft, scams, and cashing out/money laundering. This comprehensive approach provides a nuanced understanding of cybercriminal activities.