Reliability, validity, comparability and practical utility of cybercrime-related data, metrics, and information

Abstract

With an increasing pervasiveness, prevalence and severity of cybercrimes, various metrics, measures and statistics have been developed and used to measure various aspects of this phenomenon. Cybercrime-related data, metrics, and information, however, pose important and difficult dilemmas regarding the issues of reliability, validity, comparability and practical utility. While many of the issues of the cybercrime economy are similar to other underground and underworld industries, this economy also has various unique aspects. For one thing, this industry also suffers from a problem partly rooted in the incredibly broad definition of the term "cybercrime". This article seeks to provide insights and analysis into this phenomenon, which is expected to advance our understanding into cybercrime-related information. © 2013 by the authors.