Europol and the United States-based National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in San Francisco, to cooperate on fighting cybercrime. The scope of the MoU also includes the exchange of statistical data or trends relating to cybercrime. The agreement was signed by Steven Wilson, Head of the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol and Matt LaVigna, President and CEO of the NCFTA.
The MoU will allow for cooperation with regards to the Cyber Financial Program, for the identification, mitigation, and neutralisation of cyber threats to the financial services industry such as malware, phishing and social engineering for financial gain. The two organisations also envisage collaborating on the Malware & Cyber Threats Program, to research, identify and provide timely alerts through data feeds and proactive intelligence on cyber threats under analysis.
Europol, the European Union’s police agency, says that achieving a coordinated approach between EU law enforcement and relevant partners is key to successfully combating cybercrime. As reported by the 2016 Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA), new modi operandi have emerged in cybercrime, combining current approaches, exploiting new technology or identifying new targets.
