Lieutenant Colonel Ammar Al-Sarraf, Deputy Director of the Cybercrime Department at the Ministry of Interior, recently shed light on the numerous challenges facing the department. Speaking at the fifth Kuwait Conference and Exhibition to Combat Cybercrime, Al-Sarraf highlighted the increasing prevalence of fraudulent and electronic fraud operations throughout the year. He attributed this rise to the use of smart programs, applications, and the exploitation of bank links by unscrupulous individuals for criminal purposes, as reported by Al-Rai daily.
One of the key successes that Al-Sarraf emphasized was the Anti-Electronic Fraud Squad’s recent formation, which has effectively countered 300 fraudulent websites and 1,000 fraudulent phones. This achievement demonstrates the department’s commitment to combating cybercrime.
Compared to the previous year, Al-Sarraf noted a threefold surge in the department’s ability to detect these crimes. However, he also expressed concern about the rise in accounts promoting immoral actions, posing a potential threat to societal moral values. This highlights the evolving nature of cybercrimes and the need for continuous adaptation in combating them.
Al-Sarraf stated, “As reliance on digital technologies increases, risks and threats have evolved beyond mere piracy to encompass multi-faceted and multi-level damage caused by cybercrimes.” He drew attention to the various risks faced by Kuwaiti society in cyberspace, ranging from individual cases of blackmail and theft of personal information to global cyberattacks and conflicts between nations.
During the conference, Mubarak Al-Abdulhadi, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, emphasized the timeliness of the event in light of the significant increase in cybercrime risks. He stressed the importance of collective efforts in addressing these threats and risks with knowledge and expertise. Al-Abdulhadi acknowledged the success of past conferences in generating recommendations that have contributed to raising awareness about information security, encouraging the establishment of specialized programs in universities, and promoting risk management and digital emergency centers.
The President of the Sharyan Al-Sharyan Lawyers Association also underscored the importance of the conference’s efforts in finding solutions to global problems related to cybercrime. He emphasized the need for countries to recognize the severity of this issue and adopt the recommendations presented at such conferences to effectively combat cybercrime.
In summary, the challenges and risks in combating cybercrime are multifaceted and constantly evolving. From individual cases of blackmail and theft of personal information to global cyberattacks and conflicts between nations, the impact of cybercrimes can be far-reaching and damaging. The insights shared at the Kuwait Conference shed light on the need for collective efforts, knowledge sharing, and continuous adaptation to effectively combat these threats. By recognizing the severity of the issue and implementing the recommendations presented at such conferences, countries can work together to mitigate the risks posed by cybercrime and safeguard their societies.
Source: TimesKuwait
