BWDMA Supports Call To Combat Internet Crime

Together with IOD, CBI, CSSA and other bodies BWDMA has supported the Silicon initiative (www.silicon.com) to combat Internet crime and lobby government for policy changes.

Together with IOD, CBI, CSSA and other bodies BWDMA has supported the Silicon initiative (www.silicon.com) to combat Internet crime and lobby government for policy changes.

This is the statement of support:

Whilst applauding the initiative of a specialist national hi-tech computer crime unit we are concerned that the scale and scope is too small. The published remit to combat fraud, paedophilia and the spreading of viruses appears only to be tackling the media-conscious headline crime. We are certainly concerned with business-to-business crime that dispositions firms in their endeavour to establish web based services.

The technical revolution that has driven development of the web continues to mature into a market driven evolution. The unprecedented accelerated growth during an embryonic period attracted (and at one time even favoured) those with a ¡®can do¡¯ philosophy. Sometimes such sought after people have been bereft of the conditional business ethics, principles and fair trading practices that govern the orthodoxy with which the majority of traditional businesses have operated.

Commonly illegal activity occurs as breaches of the Computer Misuse Act. Web based firms operated by scurrilous individuals survive when many CID officers may lack the specialist or even a basic understanding of the web to understand whether a crime has been committed or not. They may lack an understanding and knowledge of the technology, terminology and techniques for conducting e business. Regional Computer Crime Units of the police force are spread too thinly and prioritise the headline grabbing crimes. Even when presented with evidence, how hesitant is the Crown Prosecution Service to commit to formal proceedings? Do they balance the likelihood of conviction in an area where the prosecuting officials may lack sufficient understanding rather than making a determined effort to bring offenders to justice?

Meanwhile new enterprises and existing business can be easily thwarted by such events. Compare a web situation to traditional landlord and high street tenant retailer disputes with well established procedures that protect the trader from unfair landlords who cannot simply close the shop and stop it trading without a court order. Whereas the errant hosting supplier can destroy a web business, without just cause, by taking a clients website down with the fast click of a mouse or the domain name provider that ¡®de-tags¡¯ an operational domain name for unscrupulous reasons. Illegal interception of email is not treated as seriously as a report of stealing ordinary mail. Hacking, theft of intellectual property rights or denial of service attacks may not constitute headline-generating activity but the consequences can be devastating for victim firms. Too often, victims have to resort to taking expensive civil action in search of a defence against such criminal activity.

The police need more specialists, more training for frontline officers and a reference resource of expertise to call upon from a centralised body.

Patrick J White
British Web Design & Marketing Association.
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ABOUT THE BWDMA

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The BWDMA is a "broad church", inclusive organisation, open to all companies and individuals that have an interest in the new media sector. BWDMA is influence-driven rather than membership-driven.
The Association seeks to improve e-business standards through sharing knowledge, understanding and proliferation of best practice. To further its aims and objectives, the association actively solicits constructive relationships with industry, government, academia and other such bodies, as may have common goals or purpose.

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The Association seeks to assist all industries with the adoption and application of Internet and related technologies to encourage development in the digital economy. The BWDMA endeavours to provide a gateway for businesses to purchase with confidence from reputable suppliers through the free procurement service, Web Project Guide.

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