Penitentiary Cybercrime as a Threat to the Stable Functioning of Correctional Institutions

Abstract

The article provides an approach to defining the definition of “penitentiary cybercrime” and examines various types of penitentiary cybercrimes. External and internal threats of cybercrime for correctional institutions have been identified, indicating the subjects of these crimes and considering specific examples. The main subjects of the commission of this category of crimes are both employees of the penal enforcement system and convicts serving their sentences (internal threat). At the same time, other subjects are considered — intruders from among professional specialists in the field of information technology, the so-called hackers (an external threat). Given the importance of official information in ensuring the safety of staff and convicts, as well as the trend towards digitalization of various management processes, penitentiary cybercrime has been studied in the context of a global threat to the stable normal and stable functioning of correctional institutions. The considered real examples of cybercrimes committed indicate that there is a shortage in the organization of penitentiary cybersecurity. In order to reduce the level of cyber threats, a preventive package has been proposed that includes management, criminal law, and scientific and technical measures.