Cybercrime summit tackles growing digital threats

The criminal is no longer necessarily carrying a gun, breaking a window or fleeing down an alley.

Sometimes, he is sitting behind a computer, stealing credentials, manipulating digital accounts, defacing government websites or moving stolen money through electronic channels — leaving investigators with evidence that can disappear with a keystroke.

That growing overlap between technology and criminal activity is driving the first Philippine Cybercriminology Summit, which will bring together more than 1,000 delegates from government, law enforcement, the judiciary, academe and the private sector in Pasay City on 7 and 8 October.

The Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) Leadership Institute will hold the summit at the Philippine Trade Training Center, with representatives from local governments, technology companies, financial institutions, international organizations and students expected to attend.

The timing reflects the changing nature of crime in the Philippines, where cyber tools have become part of both organized criminal activity and ordinary offenses.

The recent shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University also illustrated how digital technology can intersect with violent crime.

Police recovered a cellphone from the student who opened fire on campus on 18 August, while investigators examined his online activities and how the attack was livestreamed.

The incident followed a June shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that killed three students and injured several others.

Investigators have since examined digital evidence and possible online influences as part of efforts to understand the attacks.

Cyber threats also extend beyond individual crimes. Government agencies and institutions have faced website intrusions, defacements and other cybersecurity incidents, highlighting the vulnerability of systems holding sensitive personal, financial and government information.

Against that backdrop, the summit seeks to push “Cybercriminology” as an integrated approach combining cybersecurity, criminology, law enforcement, digital forensics, investigation, evidence preservation and prosecution.

The challenge is not simply catching criminals after an attack. Investigators must also know how to secure digital evidence, establish its authenticity, trace online activity and present it in court without compromising the case.