I527-290 ESRIF Final Report (WEB).indd - European Commission

co-operation on a national and international scale is also urgently needed. Working Group 2 has developed
proposals for the prevention and protection of ICT-infrastructure. In addition to their recommendation Working
Group 1 requests attention for more specific capabilities concerning detection of and response to misuse of
cyberspace as early as possible:
- network capability to trace illegal activities in cyberspace back to its origin
- detection and blocking of websites potentially harming citizens and issues of common interest
- increased protection around sensitive information through the development of new security protocols
- influencing the behaviour of cyberspace users to reduce their vulnerability against actions with hostile
intents
Enhanced resilience and protection of the fi nancial and payment systems
To combat organised financial crime, transparency and integrity standards for financial systems in public
administrations and in private entities are very important. Improved rules can prevent and discourage financial
crime in general and also contribute to more effective tracing of organised financial crime. Close cooperation of
the authorities with non-governmental sector representatives is essential for creating a broad acceptance of the
new rules.
Investigations of financial systems provide one of the options to learn more about activities and patterns of behaviour
of organised crime groups and provide effective added value to investigations in Member States. The fight against
organised financial crime would be enhanced through the elaboration of a common policy on the development and
implementation of methods for financial investigations.
Relevant personnel in the private and the public sector should be better trained and equipped for discerning of and
fighting against organised financial crimes.
1.2.2.3 Systemic needs
Well protected societal systems requires more than capabilities. The society should provide suited arrangements and
infrastructure for eff ective prevention and abatement of undesired behaviour, acts and developments. In general the
protections of societal systems require an improved legal basis for tracking and tracing of misuse and the subsequent needed
interventions. But there are also more specifi c needs:
National and European platforms for harmonizing the abatement of misuse of Internet
A legal basis (borders) to control the misuse of the Internet system. The international dimensions of cybercrime and the
ongoing globalisation of ICT-infrastructure require new laws and guidelines simultaneously matching to new, adequate
detection methodologies for misuse of ICT-systems and to the societal need for protection of privacy. An eff ective approach
with harmonised procedures for interventions is asking for a structure with platforms on a national and European scale and
a global scale. (See also Working Group 2 report for ICT protection).
Infrastructure for joint European investigations for abatement of counterfeiting
Development of standard and harmonized procedures to support investigations in multiple Member States for the
abatement of counterfeit products. Enlargement of national and European databases and alignment for interoperability.
Cross border cooperation with special investigative enforcement teams.
Creation of a European Body for the Financial Fraud Prevention
To ensure a more effi cient and eff ective prevention of fi nancial fraud an overall vision within the EC is required. Development
of that vision urges to the creation of a European Body for Financial Fraud Prevention. For realising implementation of the
vision each Member state should set up or modify the national prevention structure in alignment with the commonly
determined vision. The national entities should act as a counter part to the European Body when new developments and
initiatives exceed European borders. This European Body should also play a role in facilitating the cooperation between
the fi nancial and other business sectors and law enforcement authorities at the level of the EU and of the Member States.
Other potential roles are the identifi cation of best practices, encouragement of implementation of new approaches and
promotion of sector-wide internal controls.
1.2.2.4 Research needs
Research is needed for the:
Development of know how required for building up the needed capabilities
Designing of systemic improvements for a well balanced functioning of critical societal systems
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