Cybercrime Strategy of Mauritius 2017 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Internet and digital technologies are revolutionising our society by driving economic growth and providing new ways to connect with one another. The use of technology is transforming the way business is being done by making it more effective and efficient. Consequently, there is an increased flow of innovation and productivity, thus driving the expansion of the cyberspace. The ICT sector is a key sector in Mauritius and the Vision 2030 of the Government is to transform Mauritius into a SMART island, an evolution of the Cyber Island which was envisioned in 2001. The aim of the Government is to embed the use of technology in the day to day life of every Mauritian. This would imply that government services, businesses, lifestyle as well as the physical infrastructures would be centred around digital infrastructure. The increasing reliance on the cyberspace brings new opportunities, but at the same time new threats. Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated, and continue to develop malicious software and devise improved methods for infecting computer systems and networks. Cyber criminals are adapting their tactics, as new defences are implemented. The cyberspace is being used as a platform to compromise critical infrastructures and commit crimes such as fraud, theft of sensitive data, amongst others. Cyber criminals can operate from anywhere in the world, targeting large numbers of people or businesses across international boundaries, and there are challenges posed by the scale and volume of the crimes, the technical complexity of identifying the perpetrators as well as the need to work internationally to bring them to justice. The Internet opens new opportunities to cyber criminals and enables aspiring criminals to enter the environment, based on a belief that law enforcement struggles to operate in the online world. Cybercrime and Cybersecurity are words often considered interchangeable, however Mauritius has already a cybersecurity strategy that runs from 2014 to 2020. This new cybercrime strategy runs in parallel and deals with the issues pertaining to the investigation and prosecution of criminals, and the role of the criminal justice system, while the cybersecurity strategy focusses on prevention, mitigation and defence of critical national infrastructure assets. The two strategies may be merged in the future, however both documents are equally valuable and should be read in conjunction with one and other. The Government recognises the serious threats posed by cybercriminals and the necessity to bring them to trial to answer for their criminal acts. In this perspective, a National Cyber Security Strategy was developed and approved by the Cabinet in 2014. The strategy provides an overview of what it takes to effectively protect information systems and networks and gives an insight into the Government’s approach and strategy for protection of cyberspace in the country. Nevertheless, as new crimes are developing at an exponential rate, there is a need to carry out proper investigation and prosecute offenders. In this context, a Cybercrime Strategy is required that will enable law enforcement agencies in Mauritius to detect, handle and prosecute cybercriminals and the judiciary to understand this highly technical and complex area whenever cases are brought before Courts. The Cybercrime Strategy will also support the existing National Cyber Security Strategy, hence forming part of the overall approach to provide rapid response to 6|Page