U-L-T-R-A
Uniform
Law enforcement response to
Technology-enabled crime in the fields of
Reverse engineering and machine learning
Algorithms
Background
Technology and digitalisation pose challenges, as well as opportunities, to both law enforcement,
judiciary authorities, and criminals. Criminals are increasingly using encryption tools and techniques as a means to avoid detection by law enforcement. Such tools do not only allow criminals and organised crime group members to hide their identity, it also helps protect the content of their communications, which could include relevant information on ‘organised crime groups’ (OCG) activities, structures and strategies (IOCTA, 2021).
Such information is essential to law enforcement investigations and prosecutions. It can inform and guide
LEAs’ investigations, which subsequently can facilitate the effective response to imminent security threats
(such as violent conflicts among competitors), the arrest of high value targets, the confiscation of their
profits, and the disruption of OCGs. Furthermore, such collected digital footprints of crime are necessary
for judicial authorities to bring criminals to justice.
Objectives
The ULTRA project aims to enhance the operational capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate cyber-enabled crime. More specifically, this project wishes to strengthen law enforcement’s
digital investigation capabilities, by:
- Acquiring further expertise and first-hand experience in the field of reverse engineering,
decryption and intelligent machine learning algorithms - Fostering cross-border cooperation and information exchange between law enforcement
entities