FIU Professor Fights Cybercrime in Europe

Elena Key / Staff Writer

FIU professor Rob Guerette is set to travel across the world in an effort to prevent cybercrime. 

The criminology professor and other scholars under the Fulbright Specialist Program will visit Iceland this September to educate and research solutions for cyber security.

Cybercrime consists of criminal activities which take place through digital software or the internet. This includes email and internet fraud, identity fraud and cryptojacking, according to Kaspersky, an internet protection company.

In other cases, Norton says that it could also be cyberstalking, harassment, and bullying. It’s important to be aware because in some cases one’s personal information is used for these activities. 

The project consists of five weeks in Iceland where Guerette will be delivering lectures and presentations. He will work alongside other scholars to develop the curriculum.

“Once you’re screened and accepted into the roster, the host country posts solicitations and says this is who we are, and this is what we’re interested in,” said Guerrete. “Somebody coming to work with us.”

His 15 years of experience at FIU includes research on crime prevention, transnational crime and policy evaluation.

Guerrete’s interest in crime began as a child, as his father worked as a police officer.

“We’re all products of our environment,” said Guerette, explaining how his surroundings helped him pursue criminology.

Guerette’s career began after taking a class about that subject during his bachelor’s in sociology.

“After the first couple years of my undergraduate career, I bounced from idea to idea of what I was going to major in and I took a course on criminology within the sociology department and it just immediately clicked with me,” said Guerette. “I had this fascination with it.”

Since then, he holds multiple degrees including a bachelor’s in sociology with a concentration in criminology, and a master’s and doctorate in criminology and criminal justice. 

As a Fulbright specialist, Guerette helps fund scholarly research in other countries. 

“It’s a program that funds U.S. scholars and professionals to travel to other places in the world, to work with [university, government or nonprofit] institutions in other countries,” said Guerette. “It’s kind of a global exchange program to help expand learning; sharing of ideas and stimulation of new ideas and approaches; and developing relationships with foreign countries.” 

Guerette is most excited to have new experiences while learning about new cultures and perspectives.

“Getting outside of the United States and looking back at our country from an outside viewpoint will be a growing experience,” said Guerette. 

Iceland no longer has a police academy, instead, all training officers are sent to universities, he explained.

After meeting qualifications, applicants must “apply to be in the roster, write essays and get peer-reviewed,” said Guerette.

Another process begins after applying.

“They [the hosting country] look into people who submitted an interest in working in their project with them, they look [at] the candidates, screen them and extend an invitation,” said Guerette. 

Iceland and cybersecurity go hand in hand because of Iceland’s vulnerability.  

“Iceland’s geographic isolation and harsh winters have created a citizenry dependent on cyber systems with high levels of online engagement,” according to FIU News. “Since Bitcoin mining requires a huge amount of energy consumption, Iceland’s cold temperatures offset the heat generated – making its geography ideal for the industry’s concentration.” 

Guerette gave an example of an issue with bitcoin mining, instead of buying they decided to steal. 

“What I’m beginning to see in the scientific literature is that many people around the world have recognized the need and stability of applying existing crime prevention approaches to this emerging frontier, this new frontier of crime, which is cyber-based crime,” said Guerette.