Cybersecurity and cybercrime overlap with many different disciplines including criminal justice. Methods used for criminal justice cases, observation, understanding, and prevention can be used for cyber crimes as well. It is seen that cybersecurity courses are offered in criminal justice programs. And the opposite is true as well, there are sometimes criminal justice courses or influences in cyber security programs. The number of cross studies and programs is low though. Only one fifth of either programs involve studies and courses from the other. This number is growing but a slow pace. Despite the slow growth of involvement from the two disciplines, it is encouraged that professionals from both sides learn and cross study as is it can provide an advantage.  This advantage is necessary as we see more conventional crimes that where once made outside of the digital world begin to occur inside the cyber sphere. These include fraud, embezzlement, and bullying. Criminal Justice professionals can enter cyber careers using skills previously learned in their current profession. They can provide leadership, management, and advocacy. They can also collect counter intelligence as well. Digital forensics is a prime example of these two disciplines intersecting. Forensics was born in criminal justice and digital forensics adopts those tactics used and applies them to a cyber situation.

Both disciplines adopt and cross research with other fields of study as well. Psychology, sociology and philosophy play major rolls in how cases and studies can gain more knowledge and understanding. All five studies combined can create a much fuller picture as to the who, what, when, where, and why cyber crimes are committed. Understanding hackers and their communities’ has to be a fully integrated approach  in order to be efficient and effective in stopping, punishing, predicting and preventing cyber crimes. 

There is no doubt that the impact computers have had on the overall safety of society over the last four decades is undeniable. That impact goes both ways. Computers have both made the world signifyingly safer and less safe.

One way computers have made the world safer is the ease of communication. Computers making communication faster and more accessible has made emergency response more effective and efficient. Faster communication has also improved security on both a national and local scale. National agencies and local security organizations are able to prevent and respond to security events faster. Those agencies can share critical information and coordinate responses. Another way that computers have made a positive impact is through surveillance. The topic of surveillance can be controversial. Some people believe that surveillance has become far too invasive while others believe it is necessary for security. Regardless, surveillance provides a method to monitor public spaces and critical infrastructure.

Computers have also had a negative impacts on the world’s safety. Most relevant to cybersecurity is cybercrime. Hackers have developed the capability to steal or refuse access to banking information, health information, and organizational data. Hackers can use this information to inflict harm on individuals, companies and nations alike.