Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

Cyber security experts in the U.S. and around the globe assess potential threats to their organizations by evaluating potential attackers’ skills, knowledge, resources, access to the target organization and motivation to offend (i.e. SKRAM). Unfortunately, this model fails to incorporate insights regarding online offenders’ traits and the conditions surrounding the development of online criminal event. Drawing on contemporary criminological models, we present a theoretical rationale for revising the SKRAM model. The revised model suggests that in addition to the classical SKRAM components, both individual attributes and certain offline and online circumstances fuel cyber attackers’ motivation to offend, and increase the probability that a cyber-attack will be launched against an organization. Consistent with our proposed model, and its potential in predicting the occurrence of different types of cyber-dependent crimes against organizations, we propose that Information Technology professionals’ efforts to facilitate safe computing environments should design new approaches for collecting indicators regarding attackers’ potential threat, and predicting the occurrence and timing of cyber-dependent crimes.

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