About

The world of technology is relatively new. The first personal computer, IBM 610 wasn’t invented until about 1948-54. This machine was relatively inexpensive and was easily programmable. It was operable by one single person and could be controlled by a keyboard in an office or lab (Cruz, 2013). Since then computers continued to evolve and so did a national understanding of them. On this understanding cyber crime became a huge issue in that these cyber criminals could not be caught and even then could not be properly prosecuted. No federal legislation was passed until 1984, The Counterfeit Access Device and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. With this act, any persons found obtaining financial or credit information through a computer was a misdemeanor.
Though after this act was passed cyber crime continued to skyrocket 498% (Smith, 2013). This drastic increase in cybercrime called need for a specialized agency under the FBI, the National Computer Crime Squad. This organization worked solely on cyber crimes and investigated over 200 cases. (insert info about the beginning of the internet). The next advancement wasn’t until 2001-02 with the USA PATRIOT Act; specifically the section giving government agencies jurisdiction to intercept and obstruct cybercrime offenses. By 2012, it was estimated that companies lose approximately $114 billion per year. It was found by a Bloomberg Government study that companies “turn a blind eye” on more cyber security simply due to its cost, though they lose more than the cost in a single year. add another page.