Cybersecurity is a big concern for many businesses and individuals. The way that criminals operate has been heavily influenced by technology and many crimes are now committed online. If you are the victim of a cybercrime or you become aware of potential lawbreaking in Florida, what should you do?
There are a number of ways to report cybercrimes in the state of Florida. These are the steps you should take if you suspect a crime has been committed.
Gather Evidence
When reporting any crime, evidence is crucial and that’s no different with a cybersecurity breach. Keep all cybersecurity evidence safe and secure if you suspect a crime has been committed or is being attempted against you or someone else in Florida.
This includes things like screenshots, web addresses, and even social media profiles of cybercriminals. It is much easier for criminals to hide their identities online, so providing as much evidence as possible will help law enforcement agencies track down the culprit.
Report To Local Law Enforcement
Local law enforcement agencies are the first port of call if you have been the victim of a cybercrime. In many cases, they will not deal with it directly because they are not cybersecurity experts, but they can direct you towards the relevant agencies and make a record of your complaint.
Report To The Florida Computer Crime Center (FC3)
Once you have spoken to local law enforcement, you should file a report with the Florida Computer Crime Center (FC3). The FC3 is a specialist agency set up to investigate cybersecurity issues such as:
- Identity theft
- DDoS attacks
- Network intrusions
- Cases of child exploitation
The FC3 will investigate the case and bring criminal proceedings against the culprits, if necessary. The more you cooperate with them and provide them with useful evidence, the better your chances of getting a positive resolution.
Report To The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Cybersecurity issues are more complex than other crimes because they are conducted internationally and often cross into multiple jurisdictions. Although the cases of people and businesses in Florida will be investigated by the FC3, you may need to report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) too. The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center to tackle online fraud across the country.
Depending on the nature of the crime, they may handle the case themselves or they may refer you to a different agency that is better equipped to deal with it.
Manage Your Cybersecurity
If you are in a position where you are reporting a crime in the first place, you need to rethink your cybersecurity processes. Upgrading security software is crucial, and for businesses that are struggling with their security, outsourcing can be a good option.
If you have been the victim of a cyberattack, you need to conduct an audit to work out where the vulnerabilities are and fix them so you can avoid more security issues in the future.
Reporting cybercrimes promptly is very important if you want to protect your business and avoid any major disasters.
