Cyber crime crackdown

Police and IT security experts met to discuss how to combat computer virus infection, hacking attacks and electronic theft at the WARP Operators Forum.

 

Operated in the Midlands by the University of Wolverhampton in partnership with West Midlands Police, WARP provides early warning of computer vulnerabilities, expert advice, a means of sharing of experience and best practice and a place to report incidents. WARP (Warning, Advice and Reporting Point) is a national initiative sponsored by the Government’s Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure.

 

At the meeting at the University's City Campus members discussed how to prevent cyber crimes and the ways in which the service can improve and spread.

 

The University’s School of Computing and Information Technology launched the West Midlands Connects WARP in November 2006. This serves the Local Government Community in the West Midlands.

 

Tony Proctor, WARP Manager, said: “It is important that we are able to work with other sectors and communities, particularly the ones who are least likely to be protected, typically smaller companies. As we speak, we are currently setting up further WARPs including a WARP for smaller businesses and a schools WARP.“

 

Inspector Martin Wright, from West Midlands Police, said: "E-Crime represents an increasing threat to local companies, organisations and individuals. There are an incredible number of attempts everyday to attack both ICT infrastructures and individual computers in small businesses or even homes. WARPs are a vital e-crime prevention initiative."