Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC)

The 15th edition of the #OctopusConference on cooperation on cybercrime and electronic evidence reunited over 500 professionals from 100 countries in Strasbourg, France. They exchanged on #electronicevidence, #artificialintelligence, #cyberviolence, cyber interference with #democracy, crypto-investigations, pig-butchering, cybercrime as #warcrime, as well as #youth and #cybercrime. The Conference was opened by Alain Berset (Secretary General of the Council of Europe), Jonathan Attard (Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Presidency of Malta of the Committee of Ministers) and Samuel Nartey George (Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations of Ghana). #Keymessages emerged from each session and workshop, as well as from the overall conference, with a renewed invitation to make use of the tools provided by the framework of the Convention on Cybercrime (#BudapestConvention) and related standards for continuing the #internationalcooperation against cybercrime. Participants (public sector, private sector, civil society, academia) also welcomed that #SãoToméandPríncipe as well as #Vanuatu deposited instruments of accession to the Convention on Cybercrime, that #Fiji signed the #SecondAdditionalProtocol on electronic evidence to this treaty, and that #Malta joined the #FirstAdditionalProtocol on xenophobia and racism during the Conference. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dCSiZhVz Consult the key messages of the Octopus Conference 2025: https://lnkd.in/dzwncWcd #OctopusConference #OctopusConf2025 #CPROC

Ambassador Helge Seland, Permanent Representative of Norway to the Council of Europe, signed the #SecondAdditionalProtocol to the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention), on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of #electronicevidence. The event took place in Strasbourg in the presence of Mr Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. With this, the Protocol now has 51 signatories (2 ratifications and 49 signatures not yet followed by ratification). The Second Additional Protocol was opened for signature on 12 May 2022 within the framework of an international conference in Strasbourg, France. It offers innovative tools, such as #directcooperation with registrars and service providers in other Parties or expedited means of co-operation in #emergency situations. Efficient and effective tools for co-operation are backed up by a strong system of #humanrights and #ruleoflaw safeguards, including for the protection of personal data (#dataprotection). Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dYTYwHcW More about the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime: www.coe.int/cyber2AP

The Cybercrime Convention Committee (#TCY) adopted a new 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞, on “𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”. The criminal justice authorities of one country may possess information that can assist the authorities of another country – who may not even be aware that this information exists – in their 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Such information may be shared “spontaneously” – and without a prior request between authorities of different countries according to Article 26 of the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention). The importance of Article 26 of the Convention has increased in recent years, specifically within the context of #investigations involving the #darkweb or the collection of large amounts of data obtained from communications. However, while some Parties to the Convention use the option of sharing “spontaneous information” very frequently, others do so very rarely or not at all. Therefore, the #TCY has prepared and adopted a Guidance Note drawing on current practices of Parties. This Guidance Note on Spontaneous information addresses key aspects of: (a) the sharing of spontaneous information by one Party, and (b) its use in the receiving Party when obtained on the basis of Article 26, including its use as evidence in the receiving Party. It is expected that it will permit Parties to utilise Article 26 to its full potential and thus to further increase the effectiveness of #internationalcooperation under the Convention on Cybercrime. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dJpKgiv5 List of Parties to the Convention on Cybercrime: https://lnkd.in/dkbZkkRV Consult all 14 Guidance Notes so far on the dedicated webpage of T-CY work. The new Guidance Note is also available in the document below. https://lnkd.in/d-p5bRXQ More about the work of the Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY): https://lnkd.in/dwHMhCui

𝗦𝗲𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀 has been invited to accede to the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 (#BudapestConvention). The invitation to accede is valid for five years from its adoption. This is also a result of capacity building activities through our #CPROC projects. Following this invitation, Seychelles will have observer status in the Cybercrime Convention Committee (#TCY) and may benefit from additional support by the Council of Europe under the #OctopusProject and the #GLACYe project. With this, 80 States are now Parties, two have signed it and 13 have been invited to accede to the Convention. These 95 States are members (Parties) or observers in the Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY). Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dAPrvt4b More about the Convention on Cybercrime (dedicated webpage): https://lnkd.in/g_bnYjY More details about the Octopus Project: www.coe.int/octopusproject More details about the joint EU-CoE GLACY-e project: https://lnkd.in/d-yEv4ax Read more about all our worldwide capacity building, completed and ongoing projects: https://lnkd.in/eGHudA8

📢 Stronger global front against cybercrime!🌐 4 states take big strides to join the Council of Europe Budapest Convention on Cybercrime family: ✅ São Tomé and Príncipe and Vanuatu join the Convention ✅ Malta ratifies the First Additional Protocol (xenophobia and racism) ✅ Fiji signs the Second Additional Protocol (electronic evidence) With over 90 States now connected through the Convention and its Protocols, momentum keeps growing for a safer, rights-based cyberspace. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eCMKewrK #Cybercrime #DigitalSecurity #BudapestConvention #RuleOfLaw Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC) Gianluca Esposito Alexander Seger Irina Drexler 🏳️  

🌐 Over 500 cybercrime experts from 100+ countries gathered at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg for #OctopusConference to strengthen global cooperation against cybercrime.   Key takeaways: ✅ AI is reshaping both cyber threats and investigations ✅ Virtual assets are central to modern crime ✅ Cyber interference threatens democracy ✅ Youth are both vulnerable and active in the digital crime space ✅ Cooperation is not optional – it's essential.   Fighting cybercrime means protecting you and your rights in cyber space. The Council of Europe’s Convention on cybercrime with its protocols remains the strongest global instrument. Following accessions during the Octopus Conference, 80 States are now Parties to this Convention.   👉 https://lnkd.in/dzwncWcd

Strong signal this morning at #OctopusConference2025 from Ministers Jonathan Attard and Hon. Samuel Nartey George: Collaboration is essential to tackle cybercrime — especially as we face rising threats from AI, virtual assets, and disinformation. At stake: our ability to defend democracy. The strength of the Budapest Convention framework lies not only in its legal tools, but also in the global community it has built. I call on all Parties to carry out the legal reforms needed to implement and ratify the Second Additional Protocol. Read full speech via link in bio.  https://lnkd.in/e3XcRKsn Permanent Representation of Malta to the Council of Europe Conseil de l'Europe

Last time it was Bucharest as host, this year we are back to Strasbourg with our #OctopusConference. Only a few days left until the start of a new edition! Have you selected already which sessions you would be interested in attending and contributing to? From #artificialintelligence, #cryptoinvestigations, #cybercrime and #electronicevidence, to cyber interference with #democracy, war crimes, #youth and cybercrime, #cyberviolence and regional workshops, the conference will cover a vast array of subjects. Consult the latest agenda, workshop descriptions and 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 as well: → https://lnkd.in/dB2C8RSC We are looking forward to welcoming the many participants to the Council of Europe's Palais building again! For those who will not be travelling to Strasbourg on this occasion, we will also be livestreaming a number of sessions and workshops. Visit the #OctopusConf2025 dedicated website to find out more.

𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – Where #cybercrime fighters sharpen their skills to secure the future! The 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of the Cyber Games brought together some 140 participants from 50 countries in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for four days of intense teamwork, brainpower and hands-on action in the fight against cybercrime. From investigating #ransomware to tracing cryptocurrencies, using open-source tools, identifying attackers and working on #digitalforensics, this was not just a competition but a hands-on display of real skills, international teamwork and a shared goal of making the internet safer for everyone. Organised by our #CPROC team, under the #CyberSEE project, with support from #CyberEastplus, #CyberSouthplus, #GLACYe and the #OctopusProject and in partnership with the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), Malaysia and INTERPOL, this was an important milestone in global #capacitybuilding on cybercrime. There was real energy and genuine collaboration, and the best part is that it is just getting started. The next #CyberGames are already on the horizon for 2026, with more substantive online components and specialised tracks for top minds to excel and innovate in their action against cybercrime and in handling #electronicevidence. Congratulations and special rewards to the winning teams, that took home recognition and medals, as well as earned seats at major upcoming events in the global cybercrime community: 🥇 1st Place – Team Blue, led by Assem Awad from Lebanon 🎁 Free seats at the next Cyber Games, in 2026 🥈 2nd Place – Team TSIX, led by Andrii Kulalaiiev from Ukraine 🎁 Free seats at the Underground Economy Conference, September 2025, Strasbourg 🥉 3rd Place – Team FFFFFFirewalls, led by Dražen Petrović from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🎁 Free seats at the the EUROPOL Cybercrime Conference, October 2025, The Hague Our special thank you to everyone who made this possible and to all the brilliant participants who brought their best to the challenge. See you in 2026! Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/evRwTPrD

Malaysia: more cooperation on #cybercrime !   Through our Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC) – and in partnership with the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), Malaysia – we are having three consecutive events in Kuala Lumpur these days:   ·       A workshop last week on Malaysia’s reform of legislation in order to ensure alignment of domestic laws with the provisions of the Convention on Cybercrime (#BudapestConvention) – and with the forthcoming UN treaty against cybercrime (#UNODC also contributed). ·       A conference on Monday (19 May) for countries of South-East Asia on #ransomware and #crypto investigations (“Follow the money!”). ·       And now (20 to 24 May) – with NACSA and #INTERPOL – the “Cyber Games”, that is, a competition of teams from 35 countries resolving challenges of cybercrime investigations and computer forensics. A highly effective way of capacity building.   Amazing opportunities for participating experts to enhance skills and engage in cooperation in order to “protect you and your rights in cyberspace”.   And another illustration of the dynamism and vitality of the framework of the Budapest Convention of the Council of Europe   Representatives of the Government of Malaysia underlined their strong commitment to accede to the Budapest Convention (and to sign as well the forthcoming complementary United Nations treaty against cybercrime). Having worked since 2008 to bring #Malaysia closer to our Convention, this is very rewarding to see.    Many thanks not only to NACSA (Edora!) and my own C-PROC team but also to the donors supporting our capacity building projects and making these activities possible, that is, the European Union (#EU), #Canada, #Japan and the #USA.    www.coe.int/cybercrime https://lnkd.in/d63Qyv4J   https://lnkd.in/d_7gr73G   https://lnkd.in/dMgEh4Ze   https://lnkd.in/dnm3-9wc Dan Cuciurianu Nina Lichtner Razvan Daniel O. Liliana Trofim Valeria Struna