Often referred to as high tech, cyber or e-crime, for the purposes of the Global Prosecutors E-Crime Network (GPEN) initiative, e-crime means any crime where information or communications technology is used. This includes cases where computers or other devices are used as a crime tool, for example distribution of child abuse images, cases where computers are the targets of crime, for example hacking offences, and where computers or other devices are used as storage and communication tools to facilitate the commission of an offence, i.e. drug offences.
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The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) has recognised the importance of putting resources into tackling e-crime. All countries need to ensure that they have a safe and secure online environment for users, by tackling e-crime and ensuring that prosecutors have the tools to deal effectively with on-line crime. The GPEN initiative is designed to help the global fight against e-crime by:
- The network will encourage enhanced international cooperation in the e-crime arena which will be of benefit to all member countries.
- Law enforcement remains hampered by national borders and precious resources are wasted by duplication of training. GPEN will have a major impact on the effective prosecution of e-crime by improving the exchange of information, reducing duplication and significantly raising analytical and prosecuting capacity.
- A global e-crime prosecutor's network will enable all jurisdictions to develop a co-ordinated approach for dealing with e-crime that supports effective prosecutions and promotes the Cybercrime Convention. The proposed network will not compete with the 24/7 protocol or normal mutual legal assistance. E-crime specialists nominated as a country's point of contact will be responsible for any necessary domestic liaison.
- There is a global need for training and standardisation of legal and procedural standards in dealing with e-crime matters. Training of prosecutors to prosecute e-crime cases is a priority area for international efforts against cyber crime. The network will develop appropriate training courses to train prosecutors who will be able to train their colleagues.
- The network will enable prosecutors around the globe to exchange crucial information and data quickly and efficiently.
Recognising that a global problem requires a global solution, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to sponsor and the IAP to host the Global Prosecutors E-Crime Network (GPEN) initiative.
GPEN will be a network of specialist e-crime prosecutors and each IAP organisational member will be invited to nominate at least one prosecutor to be registered as the GPEN national contact point. The network will be managed in the short term by the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, but the intention is that it should in the medium and long term be managed by a Development Board drawn from the IAP membership.
The GPEN network will provide
- a database of fellow nominated e-crime prosecutors from around the world;
- a message/chat board for the exchange of queries and advice;
- a collection of e-crime material, e.g. national legislation and legal guidance;
- a virtual Global E-Crime Prosecutors' College, a database of e-crime training courses and presentations.
The global e-crime prosecutor's network will not only encourage enhanced international cooperation in the e-crime arena; but it will also enable all jurisdictions to develop a co-ordinated approach for dealing with e-crime that supports effective prosecutions. It will also present an opportunity to purvey the principles of the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention which is the only transnational instrument on this issue.
