week 18

Individual Report Task: Assess the Effectiveness of Current Laws on Cyber Crime

Task Overview

In this task, you will assess the effectiveness of current laws on cyber crime, considering how well these laws address issues like hacking, identity theft, data breaches, and other cyber criminal activities. Your report should evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the laws in place, and recommend improvements or changes where necessary.

Your report should be 200–300 words and should provide a clear assessment of the laws, using real-world examples to support your points.

Title Page

Include your name, date, and a title (e.g., Assessment of the Effectiveness of Current Laws on Cyber Crime).

1. List of Relevant Laws to Assess

Choose at least four relevant laws that apply to cyber crime.

Suggested laws include:

• Computer Misuse Act 1990
• Malicious Communications Act 1988
• Data Protection Act 2018
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Terrorism Act 2000
• Investigatory Powers Act 2016
• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003

2. Evaluation of Each Law

For each law, briefly evaluate its effectiveness by considering:

• Strengths – What does the law do well in combating cyber crime?
• Weaknesses – Where does the law fall short, or what limitations exist?
• Impact – How well does the law help protect individuals, organisations, and society from cyber threats?

Example:

• Computer Misuse Act 1990
  • Strengths: Provides legal framework for prosecuting hackers, data thieves, and individuals causing damage to computer systems.
  • Weaknesses: Somewhat outdated in relation to modern cyber crime methods, such as ransomware and hacking of cloud-based systems.
  • Impact: Has helped to deter certain forms of cyber crime but may not fully address more advanced or emerging threats.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • Strengths: Provides strong privacy protections for individuals within the EU, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
  • Weaknesses: Enforcement across borders can be challenging, particularly for non-EU companies operating in multiple countries.
  • Impact: Has raised awareness of privacy issues and forced organisations to improve data protection practices.

3. Overall Conclusion and Recommendations

Write a short paragraph summarising your overall assessment of the effectiveness of the current laws and any recommendations for improvement.

Example:

“While laws like the Computer Misuse Act provide a necessary framework for tackling cyber crime, the rapid advancement of technology and cyber criminal tactics means the laws must be continually updated. Strengthening international collaboration and revising outdated laws would improve the overall effectiveness of the legal system in combating modern cyber threats.”

4. Additional Resources and Further Reading

Include useful links for further research.

Example:

• UK Government – Cyber Security Legislation
• ICO – Information Commissioner’s Office – Data Protection Laws
• Get Safe Online – UK Cyber Crime Laws

Submission and Marking Criteria

Your report should be 200–300 words and should show clear assessment and understanding of the effectiveness of current cyber crime laws.

✔️ Coverage of Laws – Are multiple laws discussed, with an understanding of their role in combating cyber crime?

✔️ Evaluation and Judgement – Is there a fair analysis of each law’s strengths, weaknesses, and impact?

✔️ Presentation and Clarity – Is the report clear, well-structured, and in good English?

Final Note

This task will help you understand the role of laws in combating cyber crime and evaluate how effective they are in the face of new challenges in technology. Make sure your assessment is well-informed and practical, with clear recommendations for improvement!

Last Updated
2025-05-12 10:44:23