Crime Stoppers, Kaspersky Lab partner in joint cybersecurity social media campaign

Kaspersky Lab ANZ has partnered with advocacy group Crime Stoppers in an effort to curb online crime.

The cybersecurity vendor will be tasked with sharing its expertise and experience with the organisation and educate the public on cybersecurity preventive measures.

“Defending against cybercrime is a key element of maintaining overall cybersecurity," said Kaspersky chief executive Eugene Kaspersky.

"We put a lot of effort into informing and educating our users and the general public to increase resilience against ever growing cyberthreats."

“As part of this we welcome our new partnership with Crime Stoppers here in Australia. I hope that the collaboration will help make Australians more aware of online dangers and take preemptive measures to protect themselves, their businesses and their families.”

Kaspersky ANZ general manager Anastasia Rae said the program will be backed by a joint social media campaign to "educate the general public" and "facilitate safety messaging".

"Social media now dominates business and our general lifestyle," Rae said. "The public will benefit via these forums with safety videos, tips and the latest information for everyone to know how to be safe when online.”

Crime Stoppers enables members of the community to provide anonymous information about criminal activity, allowing people to provide assistance to authorities without being directly involved in the investigation process.

Crime Stoppers director Peter Price said there has been an increase in cybercrime and victim reporting from the general public in the last two years.

“The rise of IoT has resulted in a proliferation of communication channels that give cybercriminals choices in how they harm people,” Price said.

“In New South Wales alone, 30 percent of all Crime Stoppers reports are now online.”

He added that half of the organisation’s Facebook followers are female, and it is looking to implement content to further reach out to mothers to keep their children safe with connected devices.

Kaspersky Asia-Pacific managing director Stephan Neumeier said the company’s  existing relationships with INTERPOL and EUROPOL, in addition to working with law enforcement, is a big part of Kaspersky’s objectives in preventing crime.

“I am very happy to continue to have professional specialists in their own field, partner up with us to support and protect consumers and businesses in Australia,” Neumeier said.

“Cybercrime is the new frontier. Criminal activity is an absolute priority not only for us in Australia but worldwide as well,” added.

“Some 90 percent of cyber-criminal instances occur outside the country, hence the importance for us to get on the front foot and do as much prevention education as possible."