This section focuses on why gender is important to understanding the human and technical capabilities that exist for investigating and fighting cybercrime. An example project illustrates the steps involved in integrating gender in developing digital forensics and evidence training.
What do we mean by establishing operational capability?
Establishing operational capability considers what human and technical capabilities are in place for investigating and combating cybercrime – such as digital forensics capabilities, malware analysis, etc. – and what is missing. This pillar focuses on crime prevention measures and the allocation of roles and responsibilities. It also covers the established mechanisms for collaborating with partners in government, with the private and public sector, and with regional and international partners, and for engaging with international processes.
Projects that focus on establishing operational capability include (but are not limited to):
- developing digital forensics capabilities and digital investigations, and e-evidence training;
- cybercrime prosecution training;
- establishing public–private cooperation platforms; and
- regional tabletop and simulation exercises on crisis response.
Thinking about gender and establishing operational capability
Gender is important for establishing operational capability because when women and people who face discrimination or exclusion are involved in developing institutional responses, the human impacts of cybercrime and survivor-centred outcomes are more effectively considered. Technology is often considered to be gender-neutral. However, ICTs including spyware and smart devices are often disproportionately used to perpetrate violence against women and LGBTIQ+ people. Furthermore, male-by-default designs that reinforce gender stereotypes or that fail to accommodate the needs of marginalized groups can make it difficult to address infrastructural inequalities. Mitigating these biases and harmful impacts in operational capacity and capability is therefore all the more important.
In addition to gender equality and meaningful participation, it is important to build and enhance the knowledge, skills and ability of individuals, institutions, groups and organizations to foster advocates, perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve gender-sensitivity objectives in ways that are both sustainable and transformative.
Key questions
Here are two key questions to consider when integrating gender in operational capacity and capability:
- What are the barriers to the early participation and retention of women in operational capacity and capability?
- In addition to outreach to industry, academia and media, how can longer-term and structural problems – such as the relatively low numbers of women in technical careers, the criminal justice system or other relevant stakeholder groups – be addressed?
Example project: developing digital forensics and evidence training
This section uses an example project to demonstrate how gender can be integrated when establishing operational capability. The example given considers the development of training for digital forensics and evidence.
