Summit Helps IT Users Protect Information and Ward Off Cyber Attacks

At the opening ceremony of the Information Security Summit 2005 today (8 November 2005), Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) urged local companies to take proactive steps to ward off information abuse and cyber attacks through proper security management.

Under the theme of "Forensically Sound Information Security Management in a Risk Compliance Era", the Summit was jointly organized by HKPC, the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre (HKCERT), Information Security Specialist Group of the Hong Kong Computer Society, Information Security and Forensics Society, Information Systems Audit and Control Association (Hong Kong Chapter) and Professional Information Security Association. Over twenty speakers from Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK and USA shared their insights on the latest developments in information security at the Summit.

Addressing an audience of more than 100 participants, Mr Yeung said, "The management of information security is of paramount importance for our information-based society."

"Information technology is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the computer creates endless wonders and ample convenience for our lives, including the provision of an easy way to collect, process, store and transport data. On the other hand, the virtual space has also opened up a new information access for potential abusers, making our valuable information more vulnerable to security breaches," he said.

"While information protection technologies are available on the market, proper management is required to ensure the smooth operation of these security technologies and handle exceptional scenarios. Systematic information security management can help mitigate risks and enhance our capability to react to incidents," Mr Yeung said.

"However, information security management is sometimes overlooked. For instance, according to a survey conducted in November and December last year by Government agencies, including the HKCERT, improvement in information security management is needed in Hong Kong as the Asian financial hub," he added.

To this end, HKPC has been making tremendous efforts through its HKCERT. According to Mr Yeung, HKCERT provides a centralized contact in Hong Kong on computer security incident reporting and response for local enterprises and Internet users. "It coordinates response and recovery actions for reported incidents, monitors and disseminates information on security related issues, and advises on preventive measures against security threats. The Centre also promotes the general public's awareness of information security through various awareness programmes, including the upcoming Hong Kong Clean PC Day," he said.

"Over the year, HKCERT's services have seen increasing usage. Its website recorded close to 1.4 million visitors in 2004/05, 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," Mr Yeung added.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer, the HKSAR Government; Mr Dale Johnstone, Chairman, Organizing Committee of the Information Security Summit 2005.

Among the topics addressed were best practices for forensically sound information security management, security architecture frameworks, the latest IT attack techniques and information security management methodologies.

The Information Security Summit 2005 was sponsored by IBM, Intertek Group plc., Ironport Systems, Inc., Microsoft Hong Kong Limited, Phoenix Technologies, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., and Nexus Solutions Ltd.

For further details on the Information Security Summit 2005, please visit the official website at: www.issummit.org or contact the HKPC at tel. (852) 2788 5669.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5036
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: emilyc@hkpc.org

8 November 2005