HKPC warns of cyber attacks on smartphones

A surge in hacking incidents has sparked calls for enhanced collective efforts and the adoption of good cyber management practices to combat new emerging threats such as hacking attacks on smartphones.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Information Security Showcase 2011” today (27 July 2011), Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), raised her concerns about cyber security in Hong Kong after 181 hacking cases were reported to the HKPC-managed Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) in the first half of this year, up 15 per cent from the same period last year.

On the looming cyber threat to the business and public communities, she said, “As smartphone grows in popularity, it will become the easy target of hacking attacks unless users are more vigilant about the safe use of such devices. Likewise, companies should establish a policy on the use of smartphones in the office environment, such as using such devices to transfer and store business sensitive information so as to better protect their interest.”

“In addition to working closely with industry associations and partners to heighten community awareness on information security for smartphones, HKPC and HKCERT are also building up their capabilities to handle threats and reports relating to smartphone and other mobile devices, by strengthening their coordination network with hardware and software vendors, and network operators,” she added.

Under the theme of “Technology and Management”, the Showcase, organized by HKPC, aims to offer the latest products and services to help enterprises establish good practices to manage the cyber activities of organizations.

Today’s ceremony was officiated by Mr Alex Lee, Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (IT Strategy) 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.

* * *

Mr Jonathan Ho

General Manager

Corporate Communications

Tel: (852) 2788 6390

Fax: (852) 2788 5056

Email: jonathanho@hkpc.org

Website: www.hkpc.org

27 July 2011

Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC

Mr Alex Lee, Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (IT Strategy), HKSAR Government

Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC, and Mr Alex Lee, Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (IT Strategy), HKSAR Government

Group photo of Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC (front row, second from right), and Mr Alex Lee, Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (IT Strategy), HKSAR Government (front row, third from right), with the representatives of the supporting organizations of “Information Security Showcase 2011”