Why Teens Turn to Cybercrime
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 04/21/2017 11:05 AM
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Why do teens get into cybercrime> to gain bragging rights.
The National Crime Agency report determined with the aid of debriefs with offenders and those on the fringes of criminality, that peer pressure and kudos was the main reason teens get involved in cybercrime.
Financial gain was not a factor, but rather the sense of accomplishment and increased online reputations.
Most of the teens are just 17 when they become involved in cybercrime. Richard Jones, head of the National Cyber Crime Unit's Prevent team said: "There is great value in reaching young people before they ever become involved in cybercrime, when their skills can still be a force for good."
"The aim of this assessment has been to understand the pathways offenders take, and identify the most effective intervention points to divert them towards a more positive path. That can be as simple as highlighting opportunities in coding and programming, or jobs in the gaming and cyber industries, which still give them the sense of accomplishment and respect they are seeking."
Dr Jamie Graves, chief exec of cybersecurity firm ZoneFox, commented: "Instead of spending resources looking to suppress these highly intelligent young individuals and put them behind bars, we should be identifying them and nurturing and encouraging them to contribute positively in roles that can utilise their skills, both in the private and public sectors. This will not only empower them for good, but also boost the economy and safeguard the nation."
Ollie Whitehouse, CTO at NCC Group, said that while teens are looking for kudos, it can easily turn into something more sinister. "Therefore, the security industry has a duty to engage with young people to develop their cyber skills and educate them about how they can use their abilities legitimately. Hackathons, code clubs and courses aimed at school and university students can encourage them to pursue opportunities in the cyber security industry and help to steer them away from criminal activity."
Source: The Register
The National Crime Agency report determined with the aid of debriefs with offenders and those on the fringes of criminality, that peer pressure and kudos was the main reason teens get involved in cybercrime.Financial gain was not a factor, but rather the sense of accomplishment and increased online reputations.
Most of the teens are just 17 when they become involved in cybercrime. Richard Jones, head of the National Cyber Crime Unit's Prevent team said: "There is great value in reaching young people before they ever become involved in cybercrime, when their skills can still be a force for good."
"The aim of this assessment has been to understand the pathways offenders take, and identify the most effective intervention points to divert them towards a more positive path. That can be as simple as highlighting opportunities in coding and programming, or jobs in the gaming and cyber industries, which still give them the sense of accomplishment and respect they are seeking."
Dr Jamie Graves, chief exec of cybersecurity firm ZoneFox, commented: "Instead of spending resources looking to suppress these highly intelligent young individuals and put them behind bars, we should be identifying them and nurturing and encouraging them to contribute positively in roles that can utilise their skills, both in the private and public sectors. This will not only empower them for good, but also boost the economy and safeguard the nation."
Ollie Whitehouse, CTO at NCC Group, said that while teens are looking for kudos, it can easily turn into something more sinister. "Therefore, the security industry has a duty to engage with young people to develop their cyber skills and educate them about how they can use their abilities legitimately. Hackathons, code clubs and courses aimed at school and university students can encourage them to pursue opportunities in the cyber security industry and help to steer them away from criminal activity."
Source: The Register
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