[July 09, 2008]

Province of British Columbia: New Research Centre Takes Aim At Cybercrime

(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
RDATE:08072008

VICTORIA - The Province has provided $350,000 in grants to launch an
international cybercrime research centre that will investigate online
crime trends and help to develop new tools to counter them, Labour and
Citizens' Services Minister Iain Black announced today.

"We are investing in research that will help to safeguard the
province's public sector computer network against criminal misuse and
strengthen British Columbia's position as an international leader in
information security and protection of privacy," said Black.
The International Cybercrime Research Centre will conduct research into
a wide variety of cybercrime concerns, including economic crimes,
social networking abuses, identity management and critical
infrastructure protection. It will also analyze international trends
and serve as an educational centre for industry professionals.

The centre is a unique partnership between the Province, Simon Fraser
University and the International Society for the Policing of Cyberspace
(POLCYB). The Province is contributing $250,000 to Simon Fraser
University's School of Criminology to provide physical space and a
secure data centre for lab equipment. POLCYB has received a further
$100,000 to help it operate the centre.

POLCYB is a B.C.-based not-for-profit society that draws on an
international community of experts to prevent and combat crimes in
cyberspace.

"This is an important addition to the existing international network of
cybercrime fighting agencies," said the centre's administrative
director Bessie Pang. "The ability to share information instantly
across borders is key to understanding and responding to emerging
threats."

"This partnership boosts our research capability and gives us the
potential to significantly expand our knowledge base," said Dr. Rob
Gordon, director of the SFU School of Criminology.

CONTACT: Rob Duffus, Media contact, Communications Director, Ministry
of Labour and Citizens' Services
Tel: +1 250 387 3134
WWW: http://www.gov.bc.ca

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