Educating Young People, Creating New Laws, and Proactive Work Will Ensure National Security

The number of crimes involving and using information technology is on the rise in Russia each year, and young people also play a significant role in this. Law enforcement agencies and state institutions need to restructure their work so that they can not only to respond to the new challenges, but also work proactively, representatives of the federal legislative and executive authorities, law enforcement agencies, and experts said following the session ‘Legal Support for National Security in the Light of Current Threats’, which was held during the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPILF).

KEY CONCLUSIONS

The number of crimes in the IT sector has increased by almost 30% over the past year

“In 2022, more than 15,500 acts committed with the use of computer technologies were investigated. [...] We have created a department that investigates IT crimes. At our two academies, we have created two departments on this issue, and we are launching a specialization this year to provide training for the investigation of IT crimes. [...] In 2022, these crimes increased by 29%. [...] In addition, there is juvenile delinquency, which is particularly cruel. Taking this cruelty to the Internet has become an entirely common occurrence,” Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin said.

“Today, the ideology of destroying [people’s] consciousness is working because citizens commit crimes themselves after being deceived and manipulated remotely. What we are seeing in terms of sabotage, terrorist acts, and attacks on schools is a result of this remote control. This must be acknowledged, and criminal science needs to work and provide answers,” Deputy Chairwoman of the Russian State Duma Irina Yarovaya said. 

PROBLEMS

Negative influence on young people via information technologies

“What challenges does the education system face today? Of course, it’s the intensive development of information and communication technologies. We are increasingly seeing that communication in social media is replacing real relationships, which is fraught with numerous dangers for the fragile consciousness of children and young people. Negativity, the falsification of information, and even aggression are present in social media. We are seeing propaganda of drugs, non-traditional relationships, and even incitement to engage in illegal activities,” Russian Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov said.

“Extremist and radical manifestations are another problem. [...] We have investigated all the attacks on schools. [...] The fight against this must begin by ensuring security at the entrance [to the schools where crimes were committed], which had been freely accessible everywhere,” Bastrykin said.

SOLUTIONS

A different approach is needed to combatting crime

“We need to block websites that encourage extremism and radical behaviour. […] We need educational work in schools. [...] We must respond very quickly to the challenges of the time [...] The Investigative Committee’s job is preferably to be ahead of the curve or at least not to lag behind,” Bastrykin said.

“A new textbook on social sciences is being prepared right now and will be developed next year. The current textbook was, to put it mildly, liberal or pseudo-liberal. We are now focusing on the real and enduring values of society,” Kravtsov said.

National security is based on achieving the goals of the special military operation

“There is nothing more important than ensuring that the goals of the special military operation are achieved. [...] Our job is to properly support the servicemen and volunteers who are participating in the operation. […] The fight against corruption in the defence industry also needs to be intensified,” Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova said.

For more, please see the Roscongress Foundation’s Information and Analytical System roscongress.org

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