Cybersecurity Collaboration Strengthened in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area During 2024 China Cybersecurity Week

SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week this morning (September 8) in the main venue in Nansha, Guangzhou, and witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity collaboration among the Digital Policy Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province (CAGP), and the Comissão para a Cibersegurança of the Macao SAR Government.

During his opening speech, Professor Sun said that the theme of the China Cybersecurity Week, "Cybersecurity for the People, Cybersecurity relies on the People" profoundly interprets the close relationship between cybersecurity and the public. He called on all sectors of society to remain vigilant at all times, enhance public awareness of cybersecurity, and ensure the security of the networks and data against the cybersecurity hazards which are getting more severe in the face of ever-changing technology.

At the ceremony, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, the CAGP and the Comissão para a Cibersegurança of Macao SAR signed a MoU on facilitating cybersecurity exchange and collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This MoU aims to adhere to the holistic approach to national security, take effective measures to promote cybersecurity exchange and collaboration among the three regions, and provide robust cybersecurity support for building a digital GBA and the economic and social development of the regions.

Professor Sun said that the MoU will strengthen collaboration on cybersecurity among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, with enhancement on co-operation in the aspects of technological exchange, information sharing, and emergency response measures among the three regions with a view to facilitating the high quality development of the GBA.

Professor Sun said, "During the China Cybersecurity Week, numerous activities will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to further deepen industry collaboration, cultivate cybersecurity talent and promote cybersecurity awareness in the GBA. The cybersecurity week provides a great opportunity for deepening collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in building a defense on cybersecurity together, thereby making greater contribution to the boosting of strength in cyberspace and the advancement of Chinese modernisation."

Professor Sun also visited the Cybersecurity Expo held at the same venue and toured the Hong Kong Pavilion to learn about the achievements of Hong Kong's cybersecurity industry in exchanges and collaboration with mainland counterparts.

Professor Sun concluded his itinerary and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon today.

SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SITI attends opening ceremony of 2024 China Cybersecurity Week Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C&WDO receives report of loss of hirer data by facility management services contractor of Sai Ying Pun Community Complex

The Central and Western District Office (C&WDO) received a report of the loss of hirer data by a facility management services contractor today (September 16).

The C&WDO has engaged a facility management services contractor, Synergis Facility Management Limited (the Contractor), to assist in managing the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall (the Community Hall) and handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility from September 2022 to August 2025.

The Contractor reported to the C&WDO this morning that a staff member of the Contractor, who is responsible for handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility, had lost a portable device (USB) during work on September 14. The device contains the name of organisation, date and time of the event, name and contact number of the contact person for 306 applicants. The data involved does not include any identity card number or other personal identifiers.

Upon receiving the report, the C&WDO promptly requested and accompanied the Contractor to report the incident to the Police and reported the matter to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data this afternoon. The C&WDO is contacting all the affected applicants to offer apologies and explain the incident. Meanwhile, a hotline (2852 3735) has been set up for persons affected to make enquiries. The C&WDO has also immediately suspended the Contractor from handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility. The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has also informed the Property Management Services Authority to take appropriate follow-up action as the Contractor has failed to handle personal data properly as a licensed property management company.

The C&WDO sincerely apologises to the persons affected for any inconvenience caused and will follow up seriously to prevent reoccurrence of similar incidents . The C&WDO strongly condemns the Contractor concerned for the incident and has required the Contractor to submit a detailed report and take all necessary measures to prevent further leakage of the data involved. The HAD will not allow the Contractor to bid any other projects of the HAD until it has taken satisfactory measures.

Source: AI-generated images