The IGOs, NGOs, and U.S. government agencies described below are key players in the global struggle against cyber crime.
International & Inter-Governmental Organizations
- The Council of Europe: Action Against Cybercrime
This gateway page provides information about the Council of Europe's ongoing efforts to combat cyber crime, including status information about the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which was drafted by the Council, and the work of the Convention Monitoring Committee.
- International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
INTERPOL's core mission is to enable law enforcement agencies in its 190 member countries to work together to combat transnational crime, including cyber crime, and crimes against children. In addition to serving as a hub for information exchange and intelligence sharing, it also provides technical expertise, training, and capacity building.
- Visit the Legal Materials page to access INTERPOL's constitution and operational rules and regulations.
- Visit the Documents page to download topical guides and manuals, fact sheets, and annual reports.
- International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes the harmonization of technical standards for information and telecommunications technologies. It is also fosters international cooperation to improve cybersecurity through its Global Cybersecurity Agenda and through its partnership with UNODC, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. In addition, the ITU has partnered with UNICEF to publish Guides for Child Online Protection.
- United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
This office spearheads the UN's efforts to combat transnational crime, including cybercrime. In 2011 UNODC established an Open-Ended Inter-Governmental Expert Group to study cybercrime and the international community's response to it. Visit this page for summaries of the Inter-Governmental Expert Group's meetings, as well as links for downloading meeting records and related documentation.
- Visit UNODC's Research page to access thematic reports on transnational crime.
- UNODC also maintains the Cybercrime Repository, a database of national legislation and case law on cybercrime, and SHERLOC, a larger database of national legislation and case law on transnational crime.
Non-Governmental Organizations
- Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG)
This international industry association combats phishing and email spoofing through the development of data standards and model response systems and protocols. Click on the Resources tab to access articles, technical white papers, and quarterly reports on trends in phishing activity.
- Spamhaus
This international non-profit organization, based in London and Geneva, tracks cyber threats (spam, phishing, malware, and botnets) and provides real time, actionable threat intelligence to network operators, corporations, and security vendors. It also works with law enforcement agencies worldwide to identify spam and malware sources.
- European NGO Alliance for Child Safety Online (eNACSO)
Funded by the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, eNACSO provides a platform for child protection NGOS throughout Europe to share expertise and best practices on policy matters related to child safety online. Visit the Resources page to access policy papers, annual reports, and other eNACSO publications.
- International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE)
INHOPE is a collaborative global network of non-profit organizations working to combat the online distribution of child pornography through the establishment of hotlines for reporting illegal content. Visit the Resources page to access statistics, info-graphics, annual reports, and additional documentation.
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
The IWF is a UK-based, industry-funded non-profit that works to identify, locate, and remove online images and videos of child sexual abuse in cooperation with law enforcement agencies worldwide. Click on the Resources tab to access IWF research, a good source for trends and statistics.
- The Rand Corporation
This independent think tank, which is known for the quality and rigor of its work product, is a good source for credible research and informed commentary. Many of its research reports are available for download in PDF format.
U.S. Federal Government Agencies
- Department of Justice -- Division of Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS)
The CCIPS works with other federal agencies, the private sector, and foreign law enforcement agencies to prevent, investigate, and prosecute computer and intellectual property crimes. Visit the Documents and Reports page to access annual reports, topical white papers, testimony before congressional committees, and blog posts.
- Department of Homeland Security
The following agencies, which fall under the DHS umbrella, also play a key role in combating cyber crime.
- U.S. Secret Service
The Secret Service maintains an Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF) to investigate identify theft, network intrusions, attacks on business email systems, ransomware, and related matters. To learn more, visit the Investigations page of the Secret Service's website. (Be sure to scroll all the way down.)
- U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
ICE operates the Cyber Crimes Center (C3), which provides technical support to domestic and international law enforcement agencies investigating cross-border crime. The Center is comprised of the Cyber Crimes Unit, the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit, and the Computer Forensics Unit.
