What type of crime is closely monitored by HSI related to technology?

The focus on cybercrime by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is rooted in the increasing prevalence of technology in criminal activities. Cybercrime encompasses a wide array of illegal activities that are committed through the internet or involving computers, such as hacking, fraud, child exploitation, and intellectual property theft. HSI prioritizes these crimes because they can result in significant harm to individuals and organizations, and they often cross state and international borders, complicating law enforcement efforts.

While identity theft, credit card fraud, and data encryption violations can certainly be aspects of cybercrime, they are narrower categories. Identity theft typically involves stealing personal information to commit fraud, while credit card fraud refers specifically to unauthorized use of credit card information. Data encryption violations may pertain to legal issues surrounding the use or misuse of encryption technology but do not encompass the broader spectrum of cybercriminal activities that HSI monitors. This broader lens enables HSI to adapt to the evolving landscape of technology-related crimes effectively.