Technology Enabled Crime
A safe and secure online environment enhances trust and confidence and contributes to a stable and productive community. The AFP has a significant role to play in achieving this through its partnerships and proactive and innovative policing.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an integral part of our daily lives. Whether people have a computer at home, use banking services or simply receive electricity supplies, the community's reliance on technology is increasing.
Government and business also see opportunities for economic development through increased use of information technology and a technology aware population with Internet connections locally and overseas.
The AFP sees the increasing use and dependence on technology as one of the major influences on the domestic and international law enforcement operating environment.
ICT impacts on law enforcement because of the way in which can facilitate both lawful and unlawful activities. Technology-enable crime (TEC) encompasses:
- Crimes committed directly against computers and computer systems.
- Activities which fall under this category are often referred to as high tech crime, computer crimes or cybercrimes.
- The use of technology to commit or facilitate the commission of traditional crimes.
- Crimes such as fraud, scams, and harassment can be facilitated using technology which brings unique challenges to old crimes.