HKPC: Cyber Security Critical to Smart Healthcare

With the wider use of Internet-connected medical devices, or known as the "Internet of Medical Things" (IoMT), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) urges industry practitioners to adopt comprehensive cyber defense to mitigate information security threats, or risk compromising patients' welfare and safety.

Speaking at the opening of the "Symposium on Cyber Security on Medical and Healthcare System" today (1 December 2017), Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC, said, "With IoMT in place, the medical services will benefit from improved quality and enhanced efficiency. But the ever-increasing network interfaces and growing volume of data flow across various untrusted or non-standardized security networks will also put the sector at the mercy of cyber criminals."

"The disruption of medical and healthcare services, loss of critical data such as patient's medical history, delays in treatment, or even serious accidents can be some of the undesirable results. Sound cyber security capabilities are critical for medical professionals to ensure their service quality in the smart era," he added.

Under the theme of "Safely Connecting to Future Smart Hospital and Healthcare", the HKPC-organized Symposium explored the governance and international vision for future smart healthcare, latest cyber security threats and preventive measures to enhance awareness of the medical and healthcare sector.

With its expertise and experience in information security and medical technology support, HKPC is well-positioned to assist the healthcare sector to go smart safely. HKPC has safeguarded the cyber security of the community and local organizations through its Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre since 2001. It has also supported the growth of the medical and healthcare sectors through the promotion of 'Internet of Things' applications, R&D of innovative medical devices, and in regulatory affairs and compliance.

Today's event was funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the HKSAR Government. Other officiating guests at the opening included Mr Stephen Wong, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data; Mr Victor Lam, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Infrastructure and Operations); and Dr Cheung Ngai-Tseung, Head of Information Technology and Health Informatics of the Hospital Authority.

For information about the Symposium, please contact Bryan So at tel.: (852) 2788 5548 or email: bryanso@hkpc.org. For media enquiries, please contact Felix Chan at tel.: (852) 2788 5036 or email: felixchan@hkpc.org

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Justina Shum
Senior Manager
Corporate Development
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: justina@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

1 December 2017

Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC (second from right); Mr Stephen Wong, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (second from left); Mr Victor Lam, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Infrastructure and Operations) (first from right); and Dr Cheung Ngai-Tseung, Head of Information Technology and Health Informatics of the Hospital Authority, open the Symposium on Cyber Security on Medical and Healthcare System