NESTA Crime Online - University of Brighton Repository
NESTA Crime Online - University of Brighton Repository
NESTA Crime Online - University of Brighton Repository
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spectators and the media. 242 Even the transport system will be automated through<br />
Oyster cards. More than ever before, the London Games are expected to fuel an<br />
explosion in internet traffic <strong>of</strong> online transaction and activities. And this represents the<br />
most complex logistical challenge for the UK.<br />
The great opportunities brought by digital technologies are accompanied by great risks,<br />
through greater vulnerability. Risk management and preventive measures will require<br />
considerable resources and technical capability for which the UK is not fully prepared.<br />
There is little evidence that the capacity <strong>of</strong> the UK to host the Olympics matches the<br />
threat in cybercrime.<br />
Capacity to deal with these problems needs to be built up now, with an increasing<br />
involvement <strong>of</strong> the police in tackling credit card fraud and ID theft.<br />
3.1.3 The individual/institutional level<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the opportunities presented to cybercriminals are the result <strong>of</strong> human error and<br />
a poor appreciation <strong>of</strong> the need to protect personal data. Too many people use a single<br />
password or the same ‘memorable information’. Even those who are aware <strong>of</strong> good<br />
practice in protecting personal data <strong>of</strong>ten ignore appropriate procedures in favour <strong>of</strong><br />
ease <strong>of</strong> use. Most individual computer users are unlikely to know the latest advice until<br />
their data or money is stolen. As new social engineering techniques are devised and<br />
more sophisticated forms <strong>of</strong> malware developed people do need to become more aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> how they can protect themselves.<br />
At the institutional level the risks can be multiplied many times given the general lack <strong>of</strong><br />
security training and screening in most companies and organisations or the potential for<br />
disgruntled or dishonest employees either to ignore or subvert company policy.<br />
Organisations and initiatives such as the National Computer Centre, the European<br />
Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), Get Safe On-line have excellent<br />
programmes and advice on how to increase our personal on-line security. Such laudable<br />
initiatives are <strong>of</strong>ten joint efforts by government and the private sector. But their<br />
242 John O’Brien (2008): “London 2012: Will IT be hit by credit crunch?”, Silicom.com, 9 th October 2008.<br />
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