New Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre

On 18 January 2016, Mr Steven Wilson has taken up his duties as the new Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3). Since its launch in January three years ago, EC3 has seen a steep increase in its activities supporting cybercrime investigations in EU Member States. The demands for its services are boosted by the positive effects of pooling cyber intelligence and resources to fight the most impactful cybercrime networks at EU level and also in close coordination with key law enforcement authorities from partners outside the EU.

In the wake of EC3’s success, Mr Wilson has now the opportunity and challenge to steer the Cybercrime Centre towards a sustained course of continued operational delivery and regular reorientation on the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. This is likely to include the monitoring of relationships between cybercrime and traditional organised crime groups as well as the connection between terrorism and internet facilitated communications and payment systems.

Mr Wilson expressed his appreciation for the leadership role at EC3: "The transnational impact of cybercrime requires law enforcement to work closely with industry and academic partners. EC3 has a critical role in facilitating this co-operation, and I am looking forward to working with all our partners to jointly tackle the threat of cybercrime but also to seize the significant economic benefits that a secure digitally enabled Europe brings."

Mr Wilson completed 30 years of service with Police Scotland, previously having also served with Strathclyde Police, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. He has worked in a wide range of Senior Detective roles including major investigations, counter terrorism, covert policing, management of sex offenders, fugitives and witness protection. He had responsibility for all aspects of cyber and cyber enabled crime in Scotland and sat on government, industry and academic groups. He also represented Scotland on UK national and European cyber groups.