Cybercrime is a real threat to any business and should not be taken lightly. The term refers to any crime that uses a computer and a network. Examples of cybercrime include spam, harassment, cyber warfare, fraud and even identity theft. A recent study by the US Department of Justice details just how serious and common this type of crime is. Surveying over 7,800 business, the vast majority reported at least one instance of cybercrime occurring in their workplace. The result of such crimes is most often monetary loss. 68% of the companies surveyed reported sustaining losses of over $10,000. Alarmingly, most of the cybercrime resulting in these significant financial losses was committed by a company insider like an employee or vendor. These worrying statistics show that cybercrime is a serious threat to all businesses and one cannot assume that employees can automatically be trusted. Unfortunately, the same survey shows that half of the companies experiencing cyber crime actually reported the events to the proper authorities. Lack of reporting may be due to ignorance of how to actually file a complaint. Victims of cyber crimes such as hacking, password trafficking, child pornography, fraud, harassment and threats of violence, including bomb threats, should report to their local FBI office The FBI has established an Internet Crime Complaint Center to deal with these crimes in an inefficient and productive manner. The center has made it easy to file reports and alert local authorities of such infractions. Crimes like counterfeiting currency using computers and those that threaten national security can be reported to the United States Secret Service. The National Infrastructure Coordinating Center should also be contacted in the event of national security threats. When in doubt of who to report to, contact your local law enforcement agency. Education and technology are the keys to preventing cybercrime in the workplace. All employees should be briefed on avoiding phishing schemes that may appear in company email. Sending out lists of known schemes and training workers to recognize such spam is an effective way to protect your business. Additionally, instruct employees to only open emails from recognizable contacts and avoid clicking on links that ask for private information. Ensure that your IT group installs firewalls that monitor computer traffic on the Internet. Firewalls are the single greatest defense to keeping your company's information private and secure. In addition to using firewalls, make sure all company computers have updated security software installed. These programs are a simple but effective way to protect your business from malware, spam and spyware. Securing your wireless network is another way to prevent cyber criminals from obtaining your information. Carefully screen your employees before hiring. Unfortunately, the US Department of Justice survey made it clear that most cybercrime is committed by company insiders. Screening potential employees may help reduce the risk of falling victim to computer crimes. Additionally, closely monitor employee's computer usage to ensure that no crimes are being committed. Cybercrime is clearly a real threat to any business, but taking the appropriate measures can safeguard your company from suffering losses.