The global web of computers famously known as the internet is just a few decades old, but in that short span of time, it has experienced significant changes and evolution through time. It grew out of a hodgepodge of independent networks whereby it was used by some few individuals and graduatedinto a global entity. It serves as a platform for entertainment, communication, and education among others. And you can connect to this enormous network through dozens of different devices ranging from phones, tablets to computers (Rustad 16).
Any upcoming technology it must come along with disadvantages and challenges. In this interconnected, digital world, there comes the problem of hacking and internet assaults. What should be taken into consideration is to ensure that everything is done to harden sites and prevent attacks from hackers from taking place (Richardson 22). Although, the better we get, the hackers get better too. Some hackers will work for the state while others will work for companies. Thus, there must be laws to govern these cyber crimes.
The Internet and Cybercrime Law was proposed in December 2014 and it majorly governs crimes on the internet. It is regulated by U.S. federal and state laws, as well as international laws. They are crimes that are committed through the use of computer networks and devices such as computers and phones. The crime committed mostly does not target the actual computer or the network but maybe the information in the devices or use them to manipulate the users. The proposal entails the following practices:
Enabling cybersecurity information sharing: sharing of information between the private sector and government have been advanced to promote better cyber-security, and it furthermore makes it possible for sharing of information amongst the private sectors which can be seen also as a factor which promotes collaboration amongst them. This proposal encourages both the private sector to share any information regarding any threats to cyber security with the public or government sector to boost security. The set law also enhances the sharing of formation and analysis of cyber security by the private sector. This proposal by the administration would help to safeguard privacy of the government by setting requirements by private entities to comply with certain set restrictions and taking measures which enables protection of any personal information that need to be shared over the internet to qualify for liability protection (Richardson 14).
Equipping law enforcement personnel to combat cyber crime: To implement the legislation there must be appropriate tools and equipment to investigate and prosecute the crimes over internet. It would criminalize the sale of stolen financial information like bank accounts and try to expand law enforcement personnel to check on the sale of spyware used to commit theft National data breach reporting: The proposal on security breach reporting has also been updated. . Such laws demand that businesses that have suffered an intrusion to notify consumers if consumers’ personal information has been compromised (Rustad 27).
The new Cyber-security legislation is a bold step in curbing more and more criminals exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders and pose very real threats to victims worldwide. This will allow the successful running of businesses and state operations in that users will have faith in the internet which as we have seen plays a major role in providing easy access to operations.
Works Cited
Richardson, Matthew. Cyber Crime: Law and Practice. London: Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing, 2014. Print.
Rustad, Michael. Global Internet Law. St Paul, MN: West Academic, 2016.