CRIM2050Cybercrime and Security I

Course handbook

Description

Threats posed by cybercriminals to individuals, businesses, and nation states are growing in volume and sophistication. Preventing, disrupting, and prosecuting cybercrime is a priority focus for police, and is a national and global research priority. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of cyber-offences, notably fraud scams for financial gain which range from phishing and identity theft, to malware and ransomware attacks. Knowledge of these offences, how to successfully investigate and prosecute them, and their impact on victim-survivors will be valuable for anyone wanting to work in, or already working in the criminal justice system, as well as investigators in private practice, and NGOs that respond to related issues. A theory-based and applied understanding of cybercrime will emphasise the impacts of cybercrime as a driver of social inequality, particularly for Indigenous communities, and the integral role that community engagement plays in comprehensive responses to harms generated through digital technologies. Drawing on relevant case studies, the course complements Cybercrime and Security II, a 3000-level course focusing on crime prevention through cybersecurity strategy and tactics.

Availability

Not currently offered.

This Course was last offered in Semester 1 - 2024.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify and define types of cybercrime

2. Explain the prevalence of and trends in cybercrime

3. Analyse police and criminal justice responses to cybercrime and their effectiveness for victim-survivors

4. Use criminological theory to analyse cybercrimes

5. Communicate knowledge of criminal justice issues and theory via a range of modes for varied audiences

Content

Topics will include:

• The history of cybercrime
• Categories of cybercrime - computer-related, content, and copyright
• Theoretical and cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of cybercrime - criminological, legal, and techno-social
• Jurisdictional issues with prosecuting cybercrime
• Evidential recovery
• Cyber offences – including fraud, trespass, and theft
• Cyber abuse – including harassment and online image-based abuse
• Device crime
• Organised cybercrime
• Cyber threats to national security
• The prevalence and impact of cybercrime on victim-survivors
• Police and criminal justice institutional responses to cybercrime
• The digital divide and digital exclusion and their impact on Indigenous and other vulnerable communities
• Citizen-led regulation of cybercrime

Assumed knowledge

20 units of CRIM-coded courses at 1000-level

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Literature Review

Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Case Study

Presentation: Gap Analysis

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.