UNICRI: blockchain technology to fight terrorism

UNICRI (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute) will hold an online workshop on July 17th on the use of big data and blockchain technology to fight terrorism WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction).

By now, the use of the blockchain has been approved and besides being applied only to crypto assets or only as a simplified payment tool, it is seen as an interesting tool to have certain and accessible data by anyone.

There are innumerable cases of terrorism that we have witnessed over the course of time, both at the level of attacks and in terms of cybersecurity, considering that attacks also use the web to knock out entire companies and cities.

It is precise because of these types of attacks that preventive measures need to be implemented, aimed at understanding the risks and weak points that need to be strengthened in the various systems in order to intervene accordingly.

The workshop organized by UNICRI will have among its participants UNCCT (UN Counter-Terrorism Centre), a centre responsible for intervening in emergency situations and developing plans that will then be shared with member countries.

The program of the UNICRI blockchain event

The agenda of the online conference includes four different topics:

• Use of big data for various intelligence activities to counteract the misuse of commodities;
• Use of the blockchain in the nuclear field for the management and control of the related plants;
• Use of the blockchain to combat the improper use of commodities;
• Use of the blockchain and artificial intelligence to counter the financing of illegal activities through cryptocurrencies and digital tokens.

What is UNICRI

UNICRI is a UN body that deals with the prevention and fight against terrorism and organized crime. It was founded in 1969. 

Its goals include curbing crimes against the environment, cybercrime and counterfeiting. It acts not only by strengthening national judicial systems, but also by providing social assistance and actively involving civil society.

Its headquarters is located in Turin, Italy. 

UNICRI’s interest in the blockchain is documented by the call for contribution opened at the end of 2019. The call was aimed at finding innovative ideas and solutions that could help curb the risks associated with the abuse of the blockchain.

These included precisely the misuse of cryptocurrencies as a payment method for counterfeit and illegal goods or as a means of money laundering.