Network Insecurity in an Insecure World

INTRODUCTION The future security of societies that depend increasingly on networks is contingent upon how our complex human and technical systems evolve. New network technologies including the Internet favour fragmentation into many loosely connected open and closed communities governed by many different principles. Network communities are subject to highly unpredictable emergent behaviours, making the consequences of efforts to prevent crime very difficult to predict. In some areas, however, there is considerable stability and understanding of relationships within the system to justify action aimed at improving crime prevention.