Cyber criminals will face up to 10 years in jail

Sentences of up to 10 years will be available to the courts to deal with new offences to protect state bodies and businesses from cyber criminals and hackers.

Legislation combating the area passed committee stage yesterday as part of an urgent drive across the European Union for strong laws and policing powers to deal with a surge in online attacks.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton, yesterday said there was a “clear need” for international co-operation and harmonised laws “to counter this threat”.