HKPC Organizes Forum to Help IT Users Ward Off Cyber Attacks

Over 800 representatives from the information technology, trade and manufacturing sectors attended the "Information Security Forum 2005" organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre today (31 August 2005) to obtain the latest updates on security technologies and solutions.

Under the theme of "Combating Malicious Attacks", the Forum aims to increase the awareness of information security among local companies and to help IT users ward off cyber attacks. Comprising exhibitions and seminars, the event was a showcase of the latest array of information security products and services. Topics addressed ranged from the general trends of information security to hot issues such as spyware, network security of credit cards, and mobile solutions.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSAR Government, and Mr Edmund Sung, Director (Business Productivity) of HKPC.

Mr Sung said, "Vigilance about information security is of utmost importance for our computerized world to function smoothly. Threats to information security are spreading and diversifying all the time."

"Among the new and growing attacks is spyware, which has swiftly developed into a major threat since surfacing late last year," he continued. "In Hong Kong, reports of spyware incidents totalled 694 from January to July in 2005, accounting for a stunning 48% of all IT attacks reported during the period. In the United States, 80% of home PCs had been infected with spyware but 88% of infected users were not even aware, according to a report published by the country's National Cyber Security Alliance last year."

"The most malicious spyware programmes lurk unseen on PCs and steal confidential personal or corporate information, such as passwords, login details or credit card codes. The data may then be used for crimes like hacking, forgery and fraud. To the victims, the potential losses are huge. So, we need to guard against spyware, as well as other kinds of cyber threats," Mr Sung said.

Commenting on the work of the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordinate Centre (HKCERT), established by HKPC with funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund of the HKSAR Government in 2001 to help local enterprises and Internet users address information security issues, Mr Sung said, "HKCERT has become the first point of reference for the local business community in case of IT incidents. The HKCERT website recorded close to 1.4 million visitors in the 12 months to March 2005, a surge from 1.04 million a year ago and comparable to the total number logged in the three years to March 2004. These increases reflected the growing recognition of the HKCERT by Hong Kong's Internet users."

Other officiating guests at the event included representatives from the event's Diamond Sponsors, including Juniper Networks and SonicWALL Inc.

For details on the Forum, please visit the Information Security Forum website at: www.hkpc.org/infosec2005, or contact HKPC's Ms Loretta Tam at (852) 2788 6304.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: emilyc@hkpc.org

HKPC
31 August 2005