ITSD promotes awareness of information security
08 - 09 - 2000

As part of its continuous efforts to promote information security, the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) has recently published a leaflet and has organised a seminar on computer security to be held in mid-September.

"Many computer users are not aware that security violation can lead to disclosure of personal data, forgery of personal identity, tampering of data and abuse of resources," a spokesman for ITSD said today (September 8).

"The consequences or effects caused can range from embarrassment to real damage or financial loss.

"Information security is particularly important to companies which adopt e-commerce to run their businesses," he said.

With a view to arousing the public's awareness over information security, ITSD has published a new leaflet entitled "Keep Your Computer Secure" providing tips on how to protect personal computers, computer systems and networks.

It contains information on effective and proper computing practices to keep computers safe and secure, such as changing passwords regularly and maintaining an up-to-date backup copy of data.

"Computer users will find the leaflet a handy reference for ensuring information security," said the spokesman.

The leaflet is now available for public collection at the following government offices:

- Community Halls, Community Centres and Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices of the Home Affairs Department;

- Post Offices;

- Public Libraries;

- The Small and Medium Enterprises Information Centre of the Trade and Industry Department; and

- Information Technology Services Department.

Members of the public can also view and download the leaflet from the web site of ITSD (http://www.itsd.gov.hk/itsd/eng/about/epubdoc.htm).

Meanwhile, ITSD has organised a seminar - Hacking in the Real World - in conjunction with Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and Hong Kong Computer Society.

The seminar is aimed at providing local companies with better knowledge on computer hacking and guidelines on preventing hackers' attacks.

To be conducted in Cantonese, the seminar will be held at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong City Hall, Central, Hong Kong, between 2 pm and 5 pm on September 15 (Friday).

It is free of charge and seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Further details about the seminar and the enrollment form can be obtained at the "Information Security" web site of HKPC (http://www.hkpc.org/itd/infosecurity/).

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