With the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals and the promise of low costs and high returns, cybercrime is poised to become the world's most costly form of crime. This organized, profit motivated criminal activity often takes advantage of flaws in complex information systems and information infrastructures such as the Internet. Moreover, the rapid expansion of E-commerce and the widespread use of digital devices have created unprecedented opportunities for those who would carry out many types of traditional criminal activity, especially fraud. Deterring criminal activity in the digital age requires more secure systems, user education, new legislation, new enforcement methods, and international agreements that address the often transnational nature of this crime.

To support the fight against cybercrime, John Jay College of Criminal Justice established the Center for Cybercrime Studies. The Center provides the information, expertise and the latest research needed to understand, detect and deter computer related criminal activity. The Center develops solutions and disseminates information needed to protect users, information systems and information infrastructures from criminal activity. In considering measures to thwart cyber crime, Center researchers pay particular attention to the impact on civil liberties, privacy, information infrastructure costs and infrastructure capability to support innovation.

The Center sponsors programs and activities that bring together both scholars and practitioners to

• raise awareness of cybercrime risks, vulnerabilities and protection requirements, particularly for new technologies;
• research, study and advise on the latest methods for cybercrime investigation and prevention;
• evaluate the effectiveness and legal implications of new methods, techniques, legislation, policies and software used in the fight against cyber crime;
• Develop multifaceted solutions that require expertise from fields such as computer science, criminal justice, law and mathematics.