الجرائم المعلوماتية.. من الشارع إلى الفضاء الإلكتروني

With the push of a button, a person could lose their savings, a company could suffer a data breach, or an institution could cease operations.

This occurs after the digital revolution has transformed the nature of crime, shifting it from the streets to cyberspace, and from traditional tools to smart technologies.

However, the changing nature of cybercrime presents ongoing challenges; international reports indicate that losses from cybercrime exceeded 16 billion US dollars (equivalent to about 62 billion Saudi riyals) in 2024, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with continued increases in rates of digital fraud, phishing, and ransomware attacks.

Global experiences reveal the extent of the economic losses that cybercrime can cause, as major international companies have faced ransomware attacks that halted their operations and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Some institutions have paid substantial amounts to recover their data or to repair operational damages resulting from breaches. In the Gulf region, some vital sectors have witnessed electronic targeting attempts that necessitated extensive security and technical mobilization to avoid severe economic repercussions.

Despite the importance of modern systems and technologies, the human element remains the most sensitive link in the cybersecurity equation; most electronic fraud operations begin with a deceptive message, a fake link, or the exploitation of the user's low digital awareness. Therefore, continuous awareness and the enhancement of cyber culture have become an essential part of countering efforts, alongside developing national capabilities and training specialized personnel.

From a procedural legal standpoint, combating these crimes begins with the victim's awareness to immediately report any attempt at fraud or breach through the official channels provided by the state, such as the "We All Are Safe" app or specialized police centers, to ensure the swift judicial prosecution of the perpetrators and the preservation of rights.

Our country has recognized the seriousness of these cybercrimes and their security, economic, and social impacts; thus, it has taken the initiative to confront them by building an advanced legislative and regulatory system, such as the "Anti-Cyber Crime Law (2007)," which is one of the most important legislations that established the legal foundation for prosecuting cybercrimes and punishing their perpetrators. On one hand, the Kingdom has strengthened its regulatory efforts by establishing the "National Cybersecurity Authority" as the national reference specialized in this regard, launching the national cybersecurity strategy, and issuing the basic cybersecurity controls, in addition to regulations to enhance digital protection in vital sectors.

These comprehensive efforts have resulted in solidifying the Kingdom's international leadership, as it ranked first globally in the cybersecurity index, according to the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD), and was classified in the highest global category as a leading model (Tier 1) by achieving the full score of 100/100 in the global cybersecurity index issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of the United Nations.

The battle against cybercrime is not solely the responsibility of government entities; it is a shared responsibility between institutions and individuals. In an era where data has become a national treasure, protecting it is no longer an option but a necessity to safeguard the economy, security, and society.

Cybercrime... the changing nature and ongoing challenges:

Saudi Steps

By building an advanced legislative and regulatory system for confrontation

The human element

The most sensitive link in the cybersecurity equation

Global losses

16 billion dollars potentially increasing with rising fraud rates

Global experiences

Reveal the extent of economic losses from cybercrime