Europol said countries such as Ireland already have a high level of computer viruses and malware which can be used by cyber criminals.

On the signing of the MoU, Kai Grunwitz, Senior Vice President EMEA at NTT Security, says: "Europol works on all aspects of cyber crime - from botnet takedown and spear phishing right through to cryptomining, cryptojacking and the dark web - and therefore relies on collaboration with private sector security specialists like NTT Security for enhanced strategic threat intelligence.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov has already participated in the work of the Management Board of Europol.

"But whatever the crime might be, we are committed at Europol to continue supporting the Cypriot authorities in their fight against organised criminality affecting their country."

"Good cooperation with Europol and the exchange of information is one of the key points of cooperation and we are determined to strengthen this cooperation in the future, particularly in the fight against illegal immigration and economic crime," added Chrysostomou.

Located in The Hague, Europol maintains a staff consisting of over 1,000 people representing all 28 E.U.

Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global provider of cybersecurity solutions, and Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) has released a comprehensive report on the current state of ATM Malware, the company said.

Europol said that gangs and criminal organisations could be laundering money despite banks' efforts control money laundering.

Europol's warning came as an international cyber attack caused disruption for major organisations including advertising firm WPP, European bank BNP Paribas and parts of the Ukrainian government's computer systems.

THE Home Office were accused of putting public safety at risk yesterday after refusing to confirm Britain's place in Europol.

TWO INTELLIGENCE NETWORKS: EUROPOL AND THE SCHENGEN

Operation Global Airport Action at 80 airports in 45 countries was coordinated from Europol's headquarters in The Hague, Interpol in Singapore and Latin American agency Ameripol in Bogota.

It has been one year since the European Commission proposed to merge Europol - the European Police Office - with the European Police College (CEPOL).

Police in six countries, including Bulgaria, have cracked what was said to be the world's biggest credit card forgery network, arresting more than 60 people, Bulgarian National Radio said, quoting Europol. Europol said that the arrests in Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, the US, Poland, and Germany were a result of an investigation that continued for a month.