Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborative Approaches to Combat ICT-facilitated Crime

 

9 April 2024, Zagreb, Croatia: INsig2 ltd. organized the eleventh international conference on digital evidence and digital forensics - DataFocus 2024 under the sponsorship of the Croatian Minister of Interior, Mr. Davor Bozinovic.

"Digital forensics and digital evidence play an important role in the national security strategy of almost all countries, especially in today's era of technological development, but also the misuse of that same technology. One of the most important goals is to establish measures that can identify and prevent such threats, but at the same time provide a quick response and recovery if they do happen", said Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Božinović.

The International Conference on Digital Forensics and Digital Evidence provided a platform for exchanging insights, addressing hurdles, and sharing previous encounters in countering technology-enabled organized crime, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

200+ experts from around the world, including private sector, EU agencies, international organizations, prosecutors, judges, lawyers, court expert witnesses, and police investigators, who encounter digital evidence in their daily work, participated.

The Conference served as a valuable forum, and evidently made significant strides in promoting inter-agency, reginal and international cooperation and expertise sharing. The involvement of various governmental bodies, judiciaries, the private sector, and international organizations underscores the multifaceted approach required to tackle complex global organised crime-related challenges.

UNODC has showcased its Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) efforts (with the brief mention of the UNODC Global Initiative on Handling E-Evidence) and highlighting the critical role of digital evidence and forensic science in modern interventions, with further emphasizing the agency’s commitment to incorporating cutting-edge technological solutions in its operations.

As a result of the conference, the UNODC's leadership in these areas has been solidified, positioning it as the one of key players among international organizations. The collaborative environment fostered at the event has not only facilitated the exchange of valuable insights but has also catalyzed the formation and set the stage for ongoing cooperation, potentially leading to innovative solutions and stronger collective action in future interventions.