Kuwait – 14/4 (KUNA) – Memmott, the Deputy Chief of Mission
in the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, confirmed the need to cooperate to overcome
cybercrimes through the exchange of information and coordination on best
practices in this area.
Memmott’s speech came at the
start of the “Best Practices in Cyber Investigations” workshop organized by the
U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, In cooperation with The Communication and Information
Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), where he praised CITRA’s efforts in partnering with the U.S. Department of
Justice through the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and
Training, explaining that cyberspace creates constant challenges to the
investigations due to its rapid growth in a larger scope and its vulnerability
to malware.
He stated that the social-networking platforms provide unprecedented
opportunities for the free exchange of ideas, which is good, but not many users
understand how vulnerable they are to deception through extensive influence in
this space makes the role of prosecutors and the Ministry of Interior involved
in their security – Critical Cybersecurity.
He added that the harmful use of technology cannot be stopped without
having clear consequences; stressing the need for a reliable system capable of
imposing a penalty against fraud, hacking into information systems and data
theft.
He noted that the lack of boundaries in cyberspace poses a challenge for
police and prosecutors to investigate cybercrime incidents involving suspects
and victims, and crime may even extend to several states.
Memmott mentioned that the three-day workshop provides an opportunity to
share experiences in addressing said challenges, and provides ideas on how to
overcome the obstacles of cyber investigations; indicating that it’s not
possible to discuss the challenges of cybercrimes without acknowledging the use
of Social Media to hold a fundraiser to endorse “Terrorist Activities.”
Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
showed the possibility to collect donations via social media rather than a
meeting face to face; Sympathetic donors can avoid dangerous encounters.
Everyone is invited to take advantage of the workshop to improve their
readiness in addressing national security threats that face our state by such
criminals.
The Vice President of CITRA, Mr. Khalid Al-Kandari, mentioned in a
similar speech that the workshop presents the best practices and methods in
investigations, the collection of cybercrime evidence, and the ways to improve
and strengthen international, regional and national cooperation in the exchange
of information to face technical crimes in various forms.
Al-Kandari added that the workshop is aimed at prosecutors in Kuwait,
Ministry of Interior’s Cybersecurity investigators, relevant departments in the
Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, CITRA, and other government entities.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the number of
participants in this workshop exceeded 70, from Kuwait, the GCC, Yemen, and
including trainers from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security.