Identify An Emerging Crime Issue In Your Community

Identify An Emerging Crime Issue In Your Community Using

Questions 1. Identify an emerging crime issue in your community using data available from sources such as local newspapers, online police reporting, and so forth. Frame the situation, and then identify the restraining and driving forces that may be impacting the issue. 2. Using your force field analysis, develop a cause and effect diagram for the situation. 3. Either using a FMECA approach or some other appropriate RCA tool, identify five risk treatment actions you would recommend to the local Chief of Police to address the issue.

Paper For Above instruction

Emerging crime issues pose significant challenges to law enforcement agencies and communities, requiring timely analysis and strategic intervention. In this paper, I identify the rise of cybercrime targeting small businesses within my community as a pressing emerging issue. Drawing from local police reports, news articles, and online law enforcement disclosures, it becomes evident that cyber-related offenses have increased notably over the past year, disrupting local economic activities and compromising stakeholders' security. This trend is driven by technological proliferation and the low cybersecurity awareness among small business owners, while advancements in digital tools and limited police cybercrime resources restrain effective response.

To understand this complex situation, I employ a force field analysis to evaluate the forces driving and restraining the escalation of cybercrime. The driving forces include increased internet usage, the proliferation of digital payment systems, and the appeal of low-risk gains for cybercriminals. Conversely, restraining forces encompass community awareness initiatives, police cybercrime task forces, and improved cybersecurity policies implemented in some local businesses. Mapping these forces reveals that the balance favors escalation, indicating a need for strategic intervention.

Using a cause and effect diagram (fishbone diagram), I analyze key factors contributing to the rising cybercrime. The main categories include technological vulnerabilities, human factors, process weaknesses, and external influences. Under technological vulnerabilities, outdated software and inadequate security measures stand out. Human factors involve lack of awareness, poor password practices, and susceptibility to social engineering. Process weaknesses include insufficient cybersecurity policies and delayed incident response. External influences encompass cybercriminal networks and global cybercrime trends. This comprehensive analysis underscores the multifaceted nature of the problem, requiring a coordinated response.

Addressing the identified risks necessitates targeted treatment actions. Applying a Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), I recommend the following five actions for the Chief of Police:

  1. Develop a specialized cybercrime unit within the police department: To enhance investigative capacity and respond swiftly to cyber incidents.
  2. Conduct community cybersecurity awareness campaigns: Educate small business owners about best practices, including strong password use, regular software updates, and cautious social media use.
  3. Establish partnerships with cybersecurity firms and organizations: To leverage expertise and resources in detecting and mitigating cyber threats.
  4. Implement local cybersecurity protocols and incident response plans: Enabling faster and more coordinated reactions to cyber incidents.
  5. Advocate for policy enhancements and funding to improve digital crime prevention: Ensuring sustainable resources for proactive crime prevention initiatives.

In conclusion, tackling emerging cybercrime issues requires a multidimensional approach combining community education, specialized law enforcement capabilities, strategic partnerships, and robust policies. By understanding the forces driving this criminal activity and implementing targeted risk mitigation strategies, local law enforcement can better safeguard community interests and reduce the impact of cyber threats.

References

  • Anderson, R. (2020). Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems. Wiley.
  • Gordon, L. A., & Ford, R. (2021). Cybercrime and Digital Forensics: An Introduction. CRC Press.
  • McAfee. (2022). The State of Cybercrime: Trends and Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.mcafee.com
  • National Cyber Security Centre. (2020). Small Business Cyber Security Guide. NCSC Publications.
  • Symantec. (2021). Cyber Threat Report: The Rise of Business Email Compromise. Symantec Corporation.
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2019). Global Report on Cybercrime. UNODC.
  • Yar, M. (2013). Cybercrime and Society. Sage Publications.
  • Zimmermann, P., & Chandrasekaran, R. (2022). Law Enforcement in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities. Springer.
  • Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2023). Community-Led Cybersecurity Initiatives. CISA Reports.
  • Friedman, B., & Nissenbaum, H. (2020). Bias in Computer Systems. ACM Transactions on Information Systems.

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