Unveiling Agency Dynamics: Exploring Agency-Level Influences on U.K. Officers' Confidence in Responding to Hacking Incidents

• In Event: Cybercrime Policing

Abstract

While numerous studies have examined U.K. officers’ perceptions of online crime, limited research has explored how agency-level factors concurrently influence officers’ confidence in responding to cybercrime incidents. Such research is necessary in the U.K., as the constabulary is empowered to investigate all forms of cybercrime, including more technical offenses such as computer hacking. Though previous research has examined the relationship between perceptions of cybercrime, agency factors, and officers’ preparedness to respond to online fraud incidents, research exploring these relationships on hacking is scant. Given this gap, the current study used data derived from a large sample (n = 1,557) of constables and sergeants from 35 agencies across England and Wales to examine the independent, concurrent, and interaction effects of perceptions of cybercrime and agency-level factors on officers’ perceptions of their capabilities to respond to computer hacking incidents. Findings revealed agency-level factors had a greater effect on officers’ capabilities to respond to hacking incidents than officers' perceptions of cybercrime. Additionally, the interaction effect between cybercrime perceptions and agency-level factors was significant, indicating that agency-level factors moderated the effect of cybercrime perceptions on officers’ capabilities to respond to hacking incidents. The implications for police responses to cybercrime are discussed in detail.

Authors

• Jin R. Lee, George Mason University

• Yongjae Nam, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Wei-Gin Lee, George Mason University

• Thomas J. Holt, Michigan State University

• Adam M. Bossler, Georgia Southern University