Cybercrime has been the leading deviant act in the world. With the growing advances worldwide, criminal acts can be done with just one click and a couple of swipes. There has been an abundance of money lost, thief, and emotional distress due to the engagement of cybercrime as many of today’s entities are carried out through technological advancements. The legislative system leaves a gap between cybercriminals and the rest of the population due to the delayed laws and regulations put into place to prevent certain acts from being done as well as the lack of consistent and extensive punishments for those who enact certain acts. 

Legislative (Local, State, Federal) should establish concrete sentencing severity across all different aspects of cybercrime. Payne (2018) states that their findings show inconsistency with sentencing when it comes to cybercrime. The first step to ensuring crimes as such are prevented would be to establish set punishments that could potentially serve as a deterrent. Additional information about the findings of these particular crimes should be known to the public. This would further show that those who are committing these crimes are not as stealth as they deemed so (if they got caught), and additionally adding the sentencing to the public would further deter others. 

No matter what preconceived notion or research is done to learn and be educated about cybercrime many cybercriminals are getting more intelligent. Legislators should endure more training and protocol to better prepare for particular instances. This would include working cross-sectionally with other entities to work alongside one another to be as prepared as possible for certain things to happen. As Pam (2020) enforces, task forces and councils are needed to advise and study cybersecurity. Furthermore, training for these particular issues needs to be required and implemented to just be in tune with the actions being done below the surface. 

The best way to keep pace with cybercrime is to be up to date with technology and work to fight the misuse of technology with more technology. Legislative needs to invest and be familiar with different software that is capable of doing the heavy lifting. By this, using the “leverage intelligence tools to shine a light on the darknet”(Police1, 2021.) This needs to be done by monitoring and indexing particular blindspots within the web. With different technologies, police and other officials can be more exact in catching those who are assisting the illegal processes. Additionally, utilizing AI for more accurate insights and quicker solutions. The use of intense technology is what is needed most to combat cybercrime.

All things considered, the legislature needs to remain up to date and vigilant on the possibilities of attacks, as well as learn from previous ones. Thinking with the minds of those who would potentially do these things. When it comes to maintaining consistent punishments, bridging the information gaps, and being up to date on all things about cyber crimes while working closely with other forces I believe this technology gap can be filled. 

References:

1. Payne, B. K., Hawkins, B., & Xin, C. (2018, November 3). Using labeling theory as a guide to examine the patterns, characteristics, and sanctions given to Cybercrimes – American Journal of Criminal Justice. SpringerLink. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12103-018-9457-3 
2. Pam Greenberg, L. K. (n.d.). Cybersecurity legislation 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/cybersecurity-legislation-2020.aspx 
3. 3 strategies to mitigate cybercrime. Police1. (2021, March 15). Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.police1.com/investigations/articles/3-strategies-to-mitigate-cybercrime-QpK6jCaQXEX2T0HA/