UNODC and The Kingdom of Thailand come together to fight Cybercrime in SE Asia

 


Bangkok (Thailand), 26 March 2018 - Cybercrime continues to evolve as criminals find new ways of leveraging technology for malicious purposes and target all sectors of society. Women and children are exploited online, economies are undermined and sustainable development compromised.

Prevention is the most effective way to fight cybercrime and there must, therefore, be a coordinated international approach. Criminal justice and law enforcement officials must be well equipped with the knowledge and skills to detect cybercriminals and use the available digital evidence appropriately.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is providing global leadership and subject-matter expertise by engaging with counterparts across South East Asia to increase public-private partnerships and strengthening the capacities of government. In this context, UNODC organized its first SE Asia cybercrime roundtable workshop on this topic in Bangkok, Thailand.

The event was opened by Mr. Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, who stated that "Transnational organized crime is highly digitized and most types of organized crime are often facilitated and even enhanced by cyber elements. Cyber and digital forensic investigative techniques are essential, not only in the investigation of cybercrime, but also in investigating all other types of crime and terrorism."



Ms. Arthidtaya Sutatam, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thailand Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation and the relevance of such events where all stakeholders share their challenges and better integrate cooperation to counter cybercrime nationally and internationally." She also applauded UNODC's efforts for providing the framework for such an event.

Over the course of the workshop, participants were able to provide an overview of their organization`s competencies in the field of cybercrime, cybersecurity, online child sexual exploitation, digital forensics, organizational capacity, challenges faced and major cases.

The event continued with UNODC's cybercrime Introductory Training Course for Judges. The course included Introduction to Cybercrime, Internet Basics, email investigations, OSINT, darknet investigations, introduction to cryptocurrencies, international cooperation, introduction to digital forensics and seizing digital evidence,



The workshop grew relationships, enhanced integration between government agencies, and established an informal Thailand national cybercrime cooperation network. All participants agreed that there is a need to focus on capacity building within agencies, to increase cybersecurity awareness and organizational cyber-awareness culture.

Under the leadership of UNODC's SE Asia counter-cybercrime coordinator, Mr. Alexandru Caciuloiu, more workshops will be held across ASEAN States throughout 2018.

UNODC's Global Programme on Cybercrime ensures that a consistent, reliable, professional message is reinforced locally, regionally and internationally.

The workshop was delivered thanks to the kind support of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Click here to learn more about UNODC's work on Cybercrime.