As noted in the website summary of this instrument by the Council of Europe:

"The Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.

"Its main objective, set out in the preamble, is to pursue a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrime, especially by adopting appropriate legislation and fostering international co-operation..."

In other words, governments agreeing to the treaty have committed to using common definitions of what constitutes cybercrime, as well as common procedures for criminal enforcement. In addition, they have agreed to establish a "fast and effective regime" for international cooperation.

This treaty goes deep in harmonizing substantive and procedural law for criminal matters; it arguably brings international cooperation to a whole new level by tying countries' security arrangements to each other in an unprecedented way.