Combating Cybercrime: An Analysis of National and International Legal Mechanisms

Abstract

In our digital age, cybercrime is a serious threat. So, what types of legal institutions can effectively suppress and control such offenses? Many sources point to the necessity of using national and international legislation as weapons in fighting cybercrime (Bokhari, 2022).^[1] One source claims that the anti-cybercrime Bill needs to include detailed provisions on a broad range of cyber offenses and cannot be picky about which ones it mentions. A second source explains that the disparity between statutory provisions defining computer offenses and rapidly changing technology hampers one's ability to conduct investigations on cybercrimes. Given this, nations must establish a complete legislation on cybercrimes encompassing both the substantive criminal law elements (Aphane & Mofokeng, 2021).^[2] This framework must specify as criminal offenses: unauthorized access to computer systems, stealing other people's identity on the net; committing fraud or pirating material in Net markets and trading in 'cyber-pornography'; stalking others through cyber space. Also, the lack of a consistent set of legal definitions for cybercrimes and reliable statistics make it impossible to pinpoint an exact figure for global levels. The kind of best practices should be selected as appropriate from advanced countries with excellent legislative mechanisms such as Singapore and the United States (Tan et al., 2021),^[3] so that after enactment, they can ensure compatibility and effectiveness in other nations. Cybercrime must be combated, and a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy implemented through adequate law (Aphane & Mofokeng, 2021).^[4]  This research paper attempts to explain the complex web of legal instruments that nations and international organizations use in combating cyber threats. Based on an exhaustive examination of national legislations, international treaties and other instruments as well as state practice in the field, this analysis extends a look at what cybercrime is and how countries around the world (and sometimes global bodies) have sought to deal with it.