Cybersecurity Seminar in Hong Kong
The “Build a Secure Cyberspace” seminar themed “We Together! Secure Data!” was held in late September 2019.
The Assistant Government Chief Information Officer reminded the public to adopt proper cybersecurity measures for better data protection while enjoying the convenience brought about by the Internet.
Speaking at the seminar, the officer noted that cyber attacks nowadays are on the rise and take different forms. The World Economic Forum ranked cyberattacks and data fraud/theft among the top five global risks in its Global Risks Reports 2018 and 2019.
Large-scale cyberattacks and data leakages involving enterprises are increasingly prevalent. All these calls for greater awareness of cybersecurity by individuals as well as corporates.
The public was reminded in cybersecurity measures seminar to update information systems and application software in a timely manner, use up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware tools, perform regular data backups, and install a firewall to minimise the impact of cyberattacks.
At the cyber security Hong Kong seminar, a representative of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and experts from the information security industry shared their experience and insights on various hot topics, including security tips for cloud computing, protecting data in electronic payment, and measures that can be adopted by small and medium-sized enterprises to protect personal data.
The “Build a Secure Cyberspace” campaign is an annual event co-organised by OGCIO, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre.
A series of promotional activities, such as seminars, a creativity contest, radio publicity programmes and school talks, have been held to raise public awareness of cybersecurity.
Boosting Cybersecurity Awareness
- According to an OpenGov Asia article from March 2019, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology gave a speech at the meeting of the Information Technology and Broadcasting Panel of the Legislative Council.
- In his speech, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology noted that 2018 saw an upward trend in global information security incidents, and similar situations have occurred in Hong Kong.
- According to a report by the Hong Kong Computer Security Incident Coordination Centre, a total of about 10,000 security incident reports were received in 2008, an increase of about 55% over the year of 2017.
- The number of technology crimes in the Hong Kong Police Force has reached over 7,800. Zong, about 40% higher than in 2017.
- It was noted that cybersecurity, and information security, in general, is taken very seriously by the HKSAR government.
- In the past year, apart from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (UNOG), the Police Force and the Hong Kong Computer Security Incident Coordination Centre, the concerned departments have worked implemented consistent measures, including actively promoting the importance of promoting cybersecurity to various trades.
- These government groups are working to provide information on good information security risk management, proper handling and protection of customers’ personal data as well as seminars and workshops, production of promotional videos, special pages and events to enhance the ability of citizens, teachers and students to defend against cyber-attacks.
- Within the Government, the Office will continue to implement a series of measures, including strict compliance with information security policies and guidelines, and regular review by the Office of the Intellectual Property Office to provide security alerts on computer systems and software vulnerabilities, conduct cross-departmental cybersecurity exercises and strengthen Civil servant training to improve the knowledge of government personnel against cyber-attacks.
- Cybersecurity has become one of the most important security issues in the world, and it is also a problem that Hong Kong must continue to pay attention to.
- The HKSAR government has vowed to continue to strive to enhance the safety of the community and protect personal privacy. It will also provide appropriate professional support to local enterprises to provide a safe and secure network environment for the community.
