Hong Kong to import cybersecurity experts and organizations: Sun Dong

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the government will import cybersecurity experts and relevant organizations after recent cyberattacks targeting government departments and public sectors. 

Speaking on a radio program on Saturday, Sun said the government has done some contingency work in response and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has reminded departments to step up their security protocols. 

Universities will also carry out more research on cybersecurity as well, Sun said. 

Sun continued that previous cyberattacks rang the alarm and indicated that threats exist everywhere on the internet as hackers adopt smarter approaches. 

Sun called on each and every citizen to raise their awareness and stay vigilant, saying that the responsibility of safeguarding cybersecurity not only falls on the government. 

The I&T chief said the Digital Policy Office announced in the Policy Address can lead departments to quickly share data and information and push forward the development of the digital economy. 

Starting next year the government will introduce over 100 policies to convenience citizens, like paying for government services via electronic payment platforms and digitalizing the application of driver’s license. 

Authorities are also mulling to build an interconnection gate on data transfer. Citizens, who consent to it, will only need to leave their personal particulars in one government department without repeatedly registering at other departments.