Interpol holds exercise in Japan for combating cybercrime

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) recently held a three-day exercise for cybercrime investigators to develop skills in combating real crimes in cyberspace.

The event, held Feb. 13-15 and hosted by the National Police Agency of Japan, saw participants from 10 countries divided into six teams competing against each other to solve various cybercrime scenarios involving a type of malware. Organizers said the event provided a realistic simulated environment for the teams to use and develop their knowledge and expertise.

The event included participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mauritius, Myanmar, the Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

“Given that cybercrime is not constrained by borders, Interpol’s initiatives to assist member countries improve and enhance their abilities in the area of cybersecurity are essential,” Director of Cybersecurity for Japan’s National Police Agency Morio Fukuda said. “The National Police Agency was pleased to support INTERPOL’s Digital Security Challenge initiative, which provided the investigators with valuable experience which will contribute towards their countries’ efforts in combating cybercrime.”

The event builds upon the ‘@ Your Site’ Interpol Digital Security Challenge held at the organization’s Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore last March.

Interpol, with its 190 member countries, is the world’s largest international police organization and aims to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation even when diplomatic relations do not exist between two particular countries.