Prosecutors Need Training in Virtual Currencies and Cybercrime Investigations

As cybercrime continues to evolve at an alarming rate, it’s essential for prosecutors to stay ahead of the curve by gaining expertise in virtual currencies and search, seizure, freezing, and confiscation of proceeds of crime.

The Current State of Affairs

Only a handful of prosecutors are currently capable of handling complex cybercrime cases. This lack of training is largely due to self-learning and interest, rather than formal education or specialization. In a recent meeting with the Macedonian Computer Emergency Response Team (MKD-CERT), it became clear that there is a significant need for targeted training programs.

The Role of MKD-CERT

The MKD-CERT team has been working on incident reporting and classification, as well as information exchange. However, there are still issues with matching official classifications to the Traffic Light protocol used by MKD-CERT. Additionally, the team has limited experience with online reporting and handling internet-related complaints.

The Need for Collaboration

In a separate meeting with the Ombudsperson of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, it was highlighted that there is a need for more workshops and training sessions for a wider range of constituents. The Ombudsperson’s office has limited experience with online reporting, but they do have experience in protecting children’s rights.

Recommendations

To address the gap in education and training, we recommend:

• Developing a comprehensive training program for prosecutors on virtual currencies and search, seizure, freezing, and confiscation of proceeds of crime.
• Providing regular workshops and training sessions for law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in cybercrime investigations.
• Improving collaboration between MKD-CERT and Ombudsperson’s office to enhance reporting mechanisms and share knowledge on best practices in handling online-related complaints.

Conclusion

As cybercrime continues to pose a significant threat to individuals, businesses, and governments alike, it is crucial that prosecutors have the necessary training and expertise to effectively investigate and prosecute these cases. By addressing this gap in education and training, we can better protect our communities and ensure justice is served.