HKPC urges for coordinated action against organized cyber crimes

A surge in computer hacking and malicious attacks in the first six months of this year has sparked calls for coordinated efforts to combat the worsening problem of organized cyber crimes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Information Security Showcase 2010” today (14 July 2010), Mr Wilson Fung, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), said the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre, managed by HKPC, reported 65 cases of malicious codes injection into websites and 158 active hacking cases from January to June, up 150 per cent and 20 per cent respectively from the same period last year.

Mr Fung said: “According to industry reports, a lot of these attacks were connected to organized criminals. While their activities were persistent and deceptively low profile, they have caused severe financial losses and personal data leakage. To make matters worse, cyber crimes are not only becoming more serious but also more complex and difficult to prevent and detect that demand an integrated and coordinated strategy to tackle.”

Under the theme of ‘A Strategy for Cyber Defense’, the Showcase this year aims to draw on the support of all levels, including the government, the information security industry, and the end-users, for an integrated strategy to combat cyber crimes.

Organized by HKPC, the Showcase comprises a conference, technical workshops, as well as an exhibition on the latest products and services. Today’s ceremony was officiated by Mr Jeremy Godfrey, Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSAR Government.

For further details, please contact HKPC’s Ms Tracy Choy at tel. (852) 2788 5884 or visit the Showcase website at www.hkitssm.org. For other media enquiries, please contact Mr Felix Chan at tel. (852) 2788 5036 or email: felixchan@hkpc.org

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Mr Jonathan Ho
General Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 2788 6390
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: jonathanho@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

14 July 2010

Mr Wilson Fung, Executive Director of HKPC, gives the welcoming address at the opening of "Information Security Showcase 2010"

Mr Wilson Fung, Executive Director of HKPC, and Mr Jeremy Godfrey, Government Chief Information Officer, HKSAR Government, posed for a group photo with sponsor representatives of the "Information Security Showcase 2010"