Microsoft is little shy of getting into the front lines in the fight against cybercrime. Illustrative examples in this case are the company's Internet Safety Enforcement Team as well as the Law Enforcement Technology 2008 conference. LE Tech 2008, a three-day event hosted by the Redmond company, has seen approximately 400 law enforcement representatives coming from more than 35 countries for training sessions set up to deliver the latest technology, information, tools and guidance necessary to take down online criminals.

"Over six years ago as Microsoft launched the Trustworthy Computing Initiative, we recognized the importance of enforcement as a key component of a comprehensive security strategy designed to make the Internet safer and more secure for everyone. Thus the concept of the Internet Safety team and the definition of our charter began. Today, the Internet Safety Enforcement Team is made up of roughly 35 professionals around the globe including former prosecutors, investigators, software engineers and business professionals whose full-time job is to make the Internet a safer place," explained Tim Cranton, Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Worldwide Internet Safety.

LE Tech 2008 is aimed to build a bridge between Microsoft and government officials around the world in order to deliver a common ground for fighting various cybercrimes including online child exploitation, spyware, generic malicious code, botnets, as well as spam and phishing attempts. According to statistics provided by Cranton, Microsoft has contributed to training in excess of 6,000 officers from over 110 countries. Cranton emphasized the need for law enforcement officials to be equipped with the latest technology and tools in their fight against cybercrime.

"LE Tech is part of a broader partnership strategy in which Microsoft offers tools, training and technical support to help law enforcement stay one step ahead of the criminals. We offer what we do best - technology - to help law enforcement do what they do best - investigate and prosecute crimes. We understand from our law enforcement partners that cybercriminals are technically sophisticated, leaving a 'digital divide' between the resources and manpower that the criminals use to perpetrate crimes versus the resources that law enforcement agencies have to defend against them," Cranton added.