Police officers and university students joined forces to tackle cybercrime challenges last week (6 May) at the inaugural NSW Police Force Cybercrime Think Tank.
NSW Police said students from seven universities – Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University, University of New England, University of Newcastle, Western Sydney University, Macquarie University, and University of Technology Sydney – presented ideas to help keep the community safe online, particularly in relation to building resilience to cyber-attacks.
Commander of the Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft said the Think Tank gave students the opportunity to be inspired to shape the future of policing.
“This is a great opportunity to be part of something the police force has never done before, giving students access to key executives and leaders in the online space,” Detective Superintendent Craft said.
“This Think Tank allows us to tap into the minds of creative, disruptive thinkers and problem solvers, who may well be shaping the future of digital technology and policing, and even work for the NSW Police Force or other security agencies one day,” he said.
Det Supt Craft said students were asked to submit innovative ideas on how real cybercrime challenges could be solved.
“They will be presenting their solutions to two challenges: ‘How can we identify the ultimate beneficiaries of proceeds of crime received as cryptocurrency?’ [and] ‘How can individuals identify their vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks and make themselves more resilient?’,” he said.
Det Supt Craft said the Think Tank also gave students the opportunity to be identified as talent by the Cybercrime Squad, with possible internship offers within the NSW Police Force.
“The squad is responsible for investigating and prosecuting complex cyber offences requiring advanced technical skill and capability and processes all reports received through the Reportcyber portal, determining the appropriate course of action,” he said.
