El peso de la historia: desafíos de la policía en la gobernanza del cibercrimen en España

Abstract

Cybercrime presents a myriad of challenges for law enforcement agencies, including the complexity and global nature of criminal activities, the difficulties in tracing activities within cyberspace, and the perpetual evolution of these unlawful practices. This article employs the conceptual framework of historical and discursive institutionalism to investigate the hurdles faced by the police in governing cybercrime in Spain. The study emphasizes the importance of situating law enforcement within the cybersecurity governance system to comprehend their challenges and adaptations. By analyzing 36 key documents, it argues that cybersecurity policies’ origins and evolution were rooted in narratives focused on information protection and enhancing society’s trust in digital technologies, narratives distinct from the discourse centered on cybercrime. The Spanish case study enriches the literature on cybersecurity governance by examining how historical evolution and narratives impact the roles of actors involved in the governance system.