Cybercrime: human and socio-economic perspectives

It often seems as if we are under constant attack in the online world — whether it be from a suspicious email inviting us to click a link to claim a prize, or a fake message supposedly from the bank. At an institutional level, companies and public services are frequently assailed by network intrusions and hacking attempts due to the spread of malware or viruses and DDoS attacks. These attacks have the potential to cause widespread disruption to ICT functionality but also physical infrastructure, such as power plants and medical facilities. Criminal organisations also use digital methods to increase the reach and scale of a variety of illicit activities including scams, fraud, money laundering; identity or data theft; piracy, drugs and weapons trafficking, distribution of counterfeit documents, and human trafficking.

Digital criminals have enormous potential to cause harm to a wide range of victims, including individuals and organisations at all levels around the world. This Collection seeks submissions that focus primarily on the human, and socio-economic impacts of cybercrime and digital security, as well as the underlying psychological, sociological, cultural and anthropological. The Collection welcomes perspectives that consider the following types of questions:

• Who are cyber criminals? What are their motivations? Where do they come from? How are they organised? What kind of psychological techniques do they use alongside technical methods?
• Who are the victims of cybercrime? How do victims come into contact with criminals? Why are they targeted? What kind of disruption to the daily lives and impact on mental well-being do victims experience?
• How does the public react to malicious cyber events? To what extent is the general population aware of the risks of cyber crime? How does society respond to digital crime?
• How does cybercrime impact the economy? How do businesses deal with the theft of intellectual property, financial losses and distrust?
• How do institutions respond to digital crime? How do organisations build trust and security?
• How do cyber security and technical professionals partner with policy makers in governmental and non-governmental organisations to both prevent cybercrime and pursue criminals?
• What are the cultural implications of the increased threats resulting from cybercrime? How does the increased presence of such risks affect human interactions and behaviour? What are human rights concerns associated with cybercrime?

Research that focuses on technical aspects of cybersecurity will not be judged within scope, as this Collection is focused on the human and societal aspects of cybercrime.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.