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In response to the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Dataˇ¦s statement that he has commenced a formal investigation into the leakage of confidential personal data, a Police spokesman made the following statement:
ˇ§Police always attach great importance to information security and data protection. We are very concerned about the recent incidents of personal data leakage due to circulation of Police documents on the Internet and loss of Police documents.
Police have set up a working group led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) to explore improvement initiatives and adopt various measures to prevent reoccurrence of these incidents. Police have also implemented a series of measures to strengthen information security and protection of personal privacy. Police will continue to enhance officersˇ¦ sensitivity to and awareness of information security and protection of personal privacy and remind them to comply with the relevant provisions through a series of education and training programmes, which include Divisional work improvement teams, regular training, the bulletin board messages, information security guidelines, seminars, etc.
Regarding the five incidents which the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has expressed concern, Police are conducting in-depth investigations to look into the cause and to ascertain whether human errors are involved. If any officers are found in breach of instructions, Police will deal with them solemnly.
In light of above-mentioned incidents, Police will review the relevant policies, procedures and guidelines; and continue its implementation of various measures to ensure that our system and procedures are maintained at the highest level of information security; and to enhance training for officers to meet the ever changing technology challenges.
Police will make every effort to provide assistance to and cooperate with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on its formal investigation into the leakage of confidential personal data through Foxy and compliance checks in respect of the other four data breach incidents.ˇ¨
Police report No. 297
Ends/Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 23:17
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