In a ground breaking development for cybersecurity, researchers have unveiled the first-ever World Cybercrime Index, ranking countries by their contribution to global cybercrime threats.
World’s first Cybercrime Index
Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the Index identifies key hotspots of cybercriminal activity, offering valuable insights for governments, organisations, and cybersecurity professionals.
The findings are stark: a small number of countries dominate the global cybercrime landscape.
At the top of the list is Russia, followed by Ukraine, China, US, Nigeria and Romania.
The UK ranks eighth, showcasing its involvement in global cybercrime activity despite its robust cybersecurity framework.
New Data for a Growing Threat
The Index is the result of three years of research by an international team led by academics from the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra.
Using surveys of 92 leading cybercrime experts, the researchers analysed five major categories of cybercrime, assessing countries based on the technical skill, impact and professionalism of their offenders.
Dr. Miranda Bruce, a co-author of the study from the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra, highlighted the practical benefits of the Index.
“This research removes much of the anonymity surrounding cybercriminal offenders,” she said.
“It allows governments and businesses to focus resources on significant hotspots and reduce efforts in areas where cybercrime is less prevalent.”
The study emphasises how understanding the geography of cybercrime can aid in devising targeted strategies to counteract specific threats.
It also offers an early-warning mechanism, enabling authorities to address emerging cybercrime issues in at-risk countries before they escalate.
Understanding the Geography of Cybercrime
One of the report’s key revelations is the local nature of cybercrime.
While cyberattacks often appear global due to their digital reach, they are deeply rooted in specific geographic, economic, and social contexts.
Professor Federico Varese from Sciences Po in France, another co-author of the study, explained, “Many think of cybercrime as fluid and global.
However, much like organised crime, it is embedded within particular environments.”
The researchers plan to expand the study by exploring the links between cybercrime and national characteristics such as internet penetration, GDP, education levels, and corruption.
This could provide additional layers of insight into why certain countries become cybercrime hubs.
Cybercrime: An Invisible Phenomenon
Cybercriminals often rely on anonymity, masking their locations through fake profiles and sophisticated technical tools.
Associate Professor Jonathan Lusthaus from the University of Oxford described the challenge of mapping these offenders.
“Cybercriminals actively hide behind layers of protection, bouncing their activities across global internet infrastructure,” he noted.
“This makes direct tracking nearly impossible. The most reliable method to pinpoint their origins is by consulting the experts who track their behaviour daily.”
Implications for the Financial Sector
For the payments industry, the Index is a wake-up call.
With cybercriminals increasingly targeting financial institutions, understanding the origins of these threats is critical to fortifying defences.
The insights provided by the World Cybercrime Index can help companies allocate cybersecurity budgets more effectively, focusing on regions that pose the highest risk.
As cybercrime continues to evolve, tools like the Cybercrime Index are vital for staying ahead.
By highlighting key hotspots and offering a roadmap for addressing cyber threats, the Index equips the financial and cybersecurity sectors with a strategic advantage in the ongoing fight against online crime.
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