The International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP)
The InterCOP network is made up of international law enforcement agencies that share expertise and jointly develop, implement and evaluate Cyber Offender Prevention (COP) interventions and prevention campaigns.
The network engages with public and private sector stakeholders whose skills, resources and reach are needed, alongside law enforcement efforts, to create a safer digital environment. One of the network’s main goals is to guide young cyber-skilled individuals in the right direction.
Why Cyber Offender
Prevention (COP)?
Cybercrime is one of the most disruptive forms of crime today and is likely to become even more disruptive in the future. Compared to other forms of serious crime, cybercriminals are often very young. Not only do they cause severe damage to society (both to corporations and individuals), but they also destroy their own futures. Most youngsters do not realise they could go to prison for several years for what they perceive as a challenge or a game.
Cybercriminals, as opposed to other criminals, usually only first encounter corrective measures well along their criminal pathways. Cyber offender prevention aims to divert these offenders, who possess a technical aptitude, to use their skills in legal ways that benefit society.
Cyber Offender Prevention (COP) is increasingly recognised as an effective and necessary response to cyber criminality alongside investigative efforts. For Cyber Offender Prevention to maximise its impact, international (law enforcement) cooperation is needed. The InterCOP network aims to provide a platform for such international cooperation.
15 June: International Cyber Offender Prevention Day
To highlight the importance of cybercrime prevention, the InterCOP Network coined the International Cyber Offender Prevention Day on 15 June 2023, the first day of the first InterCOP conference. This day also marked the start of the inaugural InterCOP intervention, a social media campaign during which InterCOP members posted messages to demonstrate the online presence of law enforcement and the importance of combatting and preventing cybercrime.
What does the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network do?
The InterCOP network develops interventions to stop possible offenders from committing cybercrime. The network organizes conferences and trainings to share knowledge and best practices among law enforcement, academia, and private partners.
InterCOP aims to reach individuals in all different phases of their cyberjourney, aiming to both deter those who are curious to cross the line and stop those who have committed crime from re-offending.
Examples of Cyber Offender Prevention (COP) activities can be found below.
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Ads CampaignThe Ads campaign runs the second quarter of 2026 and consists of two videos. Fifteen InterCOP members joined the campaign. The aim is to provide youngsters with a clear choice: will you use your skills for good or will you risk your future?
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Cyber ChoicesCyber Choices was developed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to help people make informed choices and to use their cyber skills in a legal way.
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Re_B00TCMPRe_B00TCMP challenges students to develop their technical skills while teaching them about online legal boundaries.
- Netherlands https://re-b00tcmp.nl/
- Portugal https://re-b00tcmp.pt/
- Australia
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Prevention related to Operation PowerOFFPowerOFF is a global law enforcement effort targeting and dismantling DDoS for hire. DDoS is a gateway into cybercrime for many youngsters. InterCOP’s members sent warning letters and emails, Google and YouTube Ads and carried out knock and talks related to Operation PowerOFF
Who leads and funds InterCOP?
The InterCOP network was established in 2023 with an Internal Security Fund (ISF) provided by the European Commission. InterCOP is co-funded by the Netherlands.
As of 2027, it is funded by EMPACT and co-funded by the Netherlands. The Netherlands is leading the InterCOP project in cooperation with Europol, Portugal, Finland, the UK, Sweden, Australia, the United States, and Brazil. The network has 38 members.
Partners of InterCOP are INTERPOL, EUCPN and Glacy-e.
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Who can join InterCOP?
Law enforcement agencies can join InterCOP.
We welcome partnerships with international organisations and initiatives with the private sector. InterCOP aims to forge an alliance of public and private partners that embrace their digital responsibility by proactively contributing to cybercrime prevention activities.
Activities
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PublicationsYoung People Online-guide
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