InterCOP (International Cyber Offender Prevention Network)

The InterCOP network is made up of international law enforcement agencies that share expertise and jointly develop, implement and evaluate Cyber Offender Prevention (COP) interventions and prevention campaigns. Europol supports the InterCOP initiative as part of EMPACT.  The network engages with public and private sector stakeholders whose skills, resources and reach are needed, alongside law enforcement efforts, to create a safer digital environment. One of the network’s main goals is to guide young cyber-skilled individuals in the right direction. 

The InterCOP network was established in 2023 and is funded by a three year Internal Security Fund (ISF) provided by the European Commission. It is linked to the EMPACT Operational Action Plan 2023 for the priority ‘Cyber Attacks’, Strategic Goal 7, Operational Action 7.1.

The Netherlands is leading the InterCOP project, to which the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Portugal co-signed. The InterCOP network consists of 26 countries in total.

Why Cyber Offender Prevention?

Cybercrime is one of the most disruptive forms of crime today and is likely to become even more disruptive in the future. Compared to other forms of serious crime, cybercriminals are often very young. Not only do they cause severe damage to society (companies and persons), but they also destroy their own futures. Most youngsters do not realise they could go to prison for several years for what they perceive as a challenge or a game.  

Cybercriminals as opposed to other criminals, usually only encounter corrective measures well into their criminal careers. These criminals are often first-time offenders. These offenders, who possess a desired skill set, can be diverted to use their skills in legal ways that benefit society.

Cyber Offender Prevention (COP) is increasingly recognised as an effective and necessary response to cyber criminality alongside investigative efforts. For Cyber Offender Prevention to maximise its impact, international (law enforcement) cooperation is needed. The InterCOP network aims to provide a platform for such international cooperation. 

InterCOP objectives:

• Create a network of national and international Law Enforcement Agencies that cooperate on cyber offender prevention (InterCOP Network); 
• Provide an evidence-based toolkit of current COP-interventions that are continuously shared, implemented, evaluated and updated;
• Ensure the toolkit remains updated with new, innovative initiatives and interventions conceptualised by InterCOP members;
• Form an alliance of public and private partners that embrace their digital responsibility by proactively contributing to cybercrime prevention activities.

Successes in 2023

International Cyber Offender Prevention Day – Social Media Campaign
To highlight the importance of cybercrime prevention, the InterCOP Network coined the International Cyber Offender Prevention Day on 15 June 2023. This day also marked the start of the social media campaign in which InterCOP members posted messages to demonstrate the online presence of law enforcement and the importance of combatting and preventing cybercrime.

Google Ads Campaign
In October 2023 InterCOP launched a prevention campaign via Google Ads. With this tool, youngsters who search for cybercrime related terms will receive a prevention message and will be diverted to positive alternatives.

Re_b00tcmp Intervention
In November, several countries will start planning their Re_b00tcmps which target high school students with cyber skills. The Re_b00tcmps challenge students to develop their technical skills while teaching them about online legal boundaries.

Cyber Choices
Cyber Choices was developed by the UK’s National Crime Agency to be the public-facing brand of UK Law Enforcement’s Cyber Prevent Network. Under the Cyber Choices brand, the NCA National Cyber Crime Unit, Regional and Force Cyber Policing teams engage with all aspects of society. 

Cyber Choices offer tailored advice to young people, teachers, parents and careers about the legality of online behaviour and technical skills, educating them to use their cyber skills in a lawful way and preventing them from criminality. 

The Cyber Choices website, provides educational materials about the legality of online behaviour and technical skills. The UK has the made the Cyber Choices brand available to all InterCOP members.

First InterCOP conference in Lisbon, Portugal
In June 2023, the first InterCOP conference took place in Lisbon, Portugal and was hosted by the Portuguese Policía Judiciária y Polícia de Segurança Pública. 25 countries gathered to share expertise on cybercrime prevention.

Second InterCOP conference in The Hague, Netherlands
In November 2023, the second InterCOP conference was held in The Hague, Netherlands, and was hosted by Europol.