Law Enforcement and the Policing of Cyberspace

Today, people all around the globe rely on an internet connection to function in twenty-first century society. The evolution of technology along with society itself have led to having an online presence being an important aspect of life. Users of the internet can connect and interact with one another globally, with it being easily accessible and available. Cyberspace is a new crucial point for modernisms, social media and businesses, bringing efficiency and enjoyment to many. Juxtaposed to this is the opportunity this connectivity affords online criminality to take place. Cyberspace poses significant challenges for law enforcement, where generic policing strategies can not necessarily be applied. The ‘non-physical’ nature of cyberspace leads to issues when everyday police forces try to govern the digital world and units must steer away from their usual day-to-day operations, in this fast-developing arena. This chapter will analyse the different challenges that police, and law enforcement agencies face when attempting to police the cyber world and protect the public from the ever growing and evolving risk of cybercrime.