Project profile — UNODC Cyber Capacity Building in the Northern Triangle - phase II

This project aims to strengthen the ability of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize to prevent, identify, investigate, and prosecute cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse. It seeks to address critical gaps in legislative frameworks, digital forensics, investigative procedures, interagency coordination, and public awareness. Through legal drafting assistance, specialized training for investigators, prosecutors, judges, and forensic analysts, the provision of investigative equipment, and the development of cyber-safety education for children and teachers, the project aims to establish a comprehensive, sustainable approach to combat cybercrime across the region. The phase I of this project established foundational cybercrime units, introduced initial training on digital evidence handling, and created early awareness-raising tools. Phase II seeks to expand and deepen this foundation by professionalizing the units created in phase I, broadening training to include advanced investigative techniques (such as cryptocurrency tracing and open-source intelligence), and institutionalizing processes through formal organizational manuals and standard operating procedures. It also seeks to enhance the prevention pillar launched in phase I by scaling outreach to children, educators, ministries of education, and community-level prevention units.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased effectiveness of targeted judicial systems to prosecute cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes; (2) supported authorities to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate cybercrime and cyber-enabled offenses, including through special investigation techniques; (3) increased citizens’ awareness of cybercrime threats and take steps to prevent and report offenses; (4) supported authorities to efficiently cooperate with international stakeholders on cyber-related matters; and (5) enhanced national capacities to reduce threats posed by cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes.

Results achieved at the end of the project (March 2024) include: (1) supported cybercrime legislation reform, introduced standardized operating procedures, and strengthened institutional structures across justice and security sectors. This is reinforced by establishing or upgrading digital forensic laboratories, delivering specialized investigative equipment, and training thousands of police officers, prosecutors, analysts, judges, and educators. All the 4 countries recorded substantial increases in cybercrime case initiation, investigation, prosecution, and adjudication, surpassing targeted performance indicators and demonstrating measurable growth in national response capabilities; and (2) reached over 150,000 children and youth through educational campaigns, museum exhibitions, and digital safety materials, while over 100,000 adults participated in prevention activities delivered through ministries, community organizations, and public campaigns. Ministries of Education integrated cyber safety content into teacher training and school programs, ensuring long-term sustainability. International cooperation is strengthened through expanded partnerships with organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and INTERPOL, improving information sharing and case handling. These efforts contributed to the emergence of an active regional network of cybercrime specialists and established lasting national and regional capacities that enhance Central America’s resilience to evolving cyber threats.