The FBI has been assisting researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University with their inquiries into computer crime. John Biggam and Alan Hogarth of GCU's department of computer studies interviewed members of the FBI's computer crime squad in New York as part of a project which aims to help Scottish companies combat problems ranging from hacking to computer fraud.
Their research is funded by the Scottish Business Crime Centre, made of up representatives from the Scottish police and the business community.
Mr Biggam said: "Businesses are becoming increasingly dependent on their computer systems. Corresponding to this dependence is a greater need to understand the consequences of inadequate security controls. Too often ignorance has cost businesses dear."