Applying the Gordon & Ford categorisation and the routine activities theory to cybercrime: a suitable target

Abstract

This article speaks to the societal implications of technology by discussing the problems presented by cybercrime. It identifies a twofold problem. The first is that the proliferation of cybercrime is outstripping the pace at which governments can respond. The second is that there is a tendency to respond to issues relating to cybercrime on a superficial level without the appropriate technical understanding of the elements of cybercrime. This paper proposes that one of the ways of tackling cybercrime is to adopt the Routine Activities Theory, particularly the element of target suitability. This paper proposes that once a suitable target has been identified, the Gordon & Ford categorisation of cybercrimes be adopted as a policy framework for legislation and conventions. It illustrates the proposition by applying the categorisation to the South African Cybercrimes Bill.