The magnitude of today’s serious and organized crime often comes as a surprise to those who don’t work
in law enforcement, as it tends to fly under the radar until a major news item like the EncroChat raids
makes headlines.
Most people only see the tip of the iceberg: A major crime leader is arrested in South America, an exposed
kidnapping ring shocks the world, or another high-profile trial hits the courtroom where the scope of
criminal activities is laid bare.
As with an iceberg, it can be hard to see just how extensive these crime networks are. What looks like a
local phenomenon, confined to a single city, jurisdiction, or country, may in fact have grown to represent a
far more insidious threat beneath the surface and under the cover of highly encrypted, secretive networks
like Sky ECC, EncroChat, or the dark web.
For individuals in law enforcement and security, it’s vital to recognize the true reach of serious and
organized crime today, as it is redefining itself, expanding across borders, and broadening its scope.
Before we explore the modern dimensions of this threat and discuss concrete solutions that make use of
cutting-edge technology, let’s first briefly highlight what falls within the scope of serious and organized crime.
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