Dr Abubakar Bello is the Programme Leader for our BSc (Hons) Criminal Justice degree. Abubakar sat down to talk to us about the programme and why the demand for criminal justice professionals with expertise in cyber security is growing rapidly.
“In a world where the quality of life is dependent on technology, the growth and dangers of cyber crime has become a major concern. Cyber security must be prioritised to effectively tackle the risks and negative effects of cyber criminality.”
Dr Abubakar Bello
Your area of expertise and specialist interest is cyber security. Can you share with us more about this area of work?
In a world where the quality of life is dependent on technology, the growth and dangers of cyber crime has become a major concern. Cyber security must be prioritised to effectively tackle the risks and negative effects of cyber criminality.
Cyber security encompasses a broad spectrum of strategies, technologies, processes, and practices aimed at protecting civil society. More specifically, it involves “the application of administrative, technical and legislative controls such as policies, procedures, and best practice standards and guidelines to protect humans, technology, and confidential information in the cyber space”.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of cyber security, professionals integrate both technical and non-technical controls to combat cyber crime and disrupt criminal activities. By applying concepts and theories from criminal justice, we can gain a better understanding of the complexities and challenges in cyber security. For instance, control theories of crime and deviance allow for behavioural analysis and mapping of attacks to determine the traits of hackers and their modus operandi. Understanding the characteristics and reasons behind individuals’ participation in cyber criminality enables law enforcement agencies to wear “attackers’ hats”, predicting and mitigating their actions and attack consequences using pertinent laws
and regulations.
Criminal justice does not only support our knowledge and understanding of cyber crime, but also aids in identifying and addressing cyber security gaps and needs to respond to this growing challenge in our society.
Can you tell us more about the BSc (Hons) Criminal Justice degree and what it offers students?
Our criminal justice programme draws upon disciplinary areas such as criminology, policing, law and psychology for the investigation and prevention of crime, prosecution of criminals, and victim and offender management. This degree links theory to practice and targets a range of central themes and issues. The degree is ideal for those interested in following a career in criminal justice, including in prisons, youth justice and probation sectors.
Crime rates are increasingly more prevalent – with over 8 million crimes reported in the UK, each year. Criminal justice experts play a key role in investigating crimes and ensuring that victims get justice and criminals are punished. These experts are also engaged in the design and development of proactive measures to prevent crime.
Close links with criminal justice agencies are built into the design, development and delivery of this degree. There are opportunities to explore how criminal justice systems work to serve individuals and the community through law enforcement, policy, practice and reform. You will also learn about the uses of technology in crime, crime theories and crime investigation, as well as the fundamental principles and concepts of cyber security – essential for cyber crime prevention.
Why is studying and working in this field important?
Criminal justice and cyber security are fused together in endless ways, especially as cyber crimes are becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated.
Having a fundamental understanding of cyber security while studying criminal justice is essential in this information age to protect society against harm. Law enforcement agencies have now established specialised units dedicated to investigating cyber crimes. Criminal justice professionals with cyber security knowledge frequently collaborate with these agencies to identify, track, and apprehend criminals involved in activities such as hacking, fraud, identity theft, cyber stalking, cyber bullying and harassment, cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, and cyber warfare.
Likewise, cyber security laws and regulations are an essential part of the criminal justice system. Criminal justice legislators and policy makers with cyber knowledge, work to create and update laws that define cyber crimes, establish penalties for offenders, and outline procedures for investigating and prosecuting cyber crimes.
Moreover, since cyber attacks can have devastating impacts on individuals, businesses, and communities, professionals working in this field collaborate with victim support organisations, legal advocates, and law enforcement agencies to provide assistance to victims of cyber crimes, advocate for their rights, and help them navigate the criminal justice system.
The demand for criminal justice professionals with expertise in cyber security is growing rapidly, creating numerous career opportunities and avenues for professional growth. The UK government has committed approximately £2.6 billion to increase the number and diversity of skilled people to work in the cyber profession. Working in this field offers competitive salaries, job security, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on society.
Any advice or top tips for prospective students looking to study this topic?
Criminal justice is an extremely rewarding profession that offers diverse career opportunities in various sectors, including government, law enforcement, defence, healthcare, finance, technology, consulting, and academia. It is important to explore different career paths, industries, and roles to discover what aligns with your interests, values, and aspirations.
To work in criminal justice, you must be able to uphold ethical standards, respect privacy and confidentiality, and prioritise the welfare and rights of individuals and communities. Remember that your actions and decisions can have significant impacts on people’s lives, organisations, and society at large.
In preparation for embarking on your criminal justice degree, be sure to keep up with current affairs and stay informed on government responses to crime and criminality. Work experience and volunteering – for example with young people, with victims of crime, and with organisations like Citizens Advice – will really give you a head start on your studies and enhance your employability too.
May 11, 2022
