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The Government has been closely monitoring the trend and development of computer-related crime and has launched various measures to curb and prevent such crime.
The Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Alan Wong Chi-kong, attended a seminar organised by the Consumer Council today (May 22) and discussed with youngsters and representatives from the Police and the online gaming industry the means to prevent crime related to online games.
"The Government is committed to establishing a secure and reliable e-business environment to promote and assist local enterprises and the public to conduct e-commerce," Mr Wong said.
An inter-departmental working group on computer-related crime was established in 2000 to give recommendations and implement measures to address the issue of computer-related crime.
To enhance Hong Kong's information security incident response capability, the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre (HKCERT/CC) was set up in 2001.
Besides publishing information about computer virus and security alerts, the centre co-ordinates and provides technical support for local enterprises and Internet users. It also organises seminars and publishes guidelines to promote public awareness on information security and prevention of computer-related crime.
The Government issued a consultation paper to professional organisations and trades associations last year, providing information security management framework, standards and best practices for reference by businesses in different industries.
The paper also appeals to the organisations to consider formulating information security standards for specifically tailored for their respective industries and businesses, and to assess the necessity and feasibility of an audit mechanism for such standards. To maintain credibility and retain customers, every enterprise should ensure that information about the company and customers is secure.
To obtain updates on information security, the public may visit the "Infosec" website (www.infosec.gov.hk) set up by the Information Technology Services Department. The website has specific sections for different target groups, such as "Youngsters and Students" and "Teachers and Parents".
To co-ordinate and devise plans for promoting computer and cyber ethics, the Education and Manpower Bureau established a committee in collaboration with a number of government departments and community organisations in 2002. The committee has set up a "Cyber Ethics for Students and Youth" website (http://cesy.qed.hkedcity.net), providing advice and guidelines on the proper use of computers and Internet to schools, parents and students, as well as relevant teaching resources for teachers.
The Government has also produced a series of TV and radio programmes to promote information security to a wider community.
Mr Wong hoped the seminar would help raise the awareness of game players towards information security, and remind online gaming industry the responsibility to ensure information security.
"Information security is everybody's business. Besides co-operation between the Government and industry players, public support and participation is indispensable," Mr Wong said.
Ends/Saturday, May 22, 2004
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