Operational Support Crucial in Event of IT System Attack
In the event of an attack on its IT systems, the Federal Unit against Swindling and for Economic and Financial Documentation (FUSE) plays a vital role in providing operational support to combat financial crime.
The Role of FUSE
FUSE is a dual-purpose entity that manages information flow at national and international levels, transmitting requests to banks and tackling cases of swindling not committed via the Internet. In the event of an attack on its IT systems, FUSE would work closely with other law enforcement agencies to provide critical operational support.
Local Police Response
The local police in Belgium are also well-equipped to handle financial crime investigations, with each local police chief responsible for implementing local law enforcement policy and ensuring the management, organization, and distribution of missions in their force. The Tax Administration, although without law enforcement powers, has good relations with other agencies and can provide valuable information to support financial crime investigations.
Coordinating Bodies
The Standing Committee for the Fight against Tax Fraud (Comité permanent de lutte contre la fraude fiscale - CAF) is a coordinating body that works to combat tax fraud, which may constitute an offence subsequent to financial crime. The Special Tax Inspectorate (ISI) is responsible for combating serious tax fraud and has powers to investigate and prosecute tax-related crimes.
Operational Support in the Event of an IT System Attack
In the event of an IT system attack, these agencies would work together to provide critical operational support, including:
- Intelligence gathering
- Forensic analysis
- Communication with other agencies
The Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CTIF) plays a key role in this process, providing financial intelligence to support investigations into financial crime.
Conclusion
The article highlights the importance of coordination and cooperation between different agencies in combating financial crime and provides insight into the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in fighting financial crime in Belgium.