CADET2 Cyber Attack and Defence Training Tournament Strengthens Hong Kong's Cyber Security

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes

The three-day Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament (CADET2), co-organised by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) and the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC), successfully concluded today (August 2). Apart from providing cyber security personnel with training in cyber attack and defence, the CADET2 also enhanced their professional skills and incident response capabilities through simulated cyber attack competitions to comprehensively strengthen cyber security in Hong Kong.

Training of the same kind has been held for the fourth time. This year, in addition to incorporating penetration testing to the two-day hands-on cyber attack and defence training, which allowed participants from various organisations to exchanges ideas, a one-day competition event was also held for the first time to provide a platform for industry and academic elites to practise the skills they have learnt, and to utilise their knowledge of cyber attack and defence by participating in both online and physical competitions and testing their capabilities to respond to cyber incidents.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, noted that the newly-established DPO will keep implementing different policies and measures to enhance the cyber defence capacity of government personnel, hoping that the industry will work together with the Government to enhance the barriers on digital security and contribute to the development of Hong Kong’s digital economy.

The Chief Superintendent of the CSTCB, Mr Lam Cheuk-ho, stated that cyber attacks were on the rise, and once the critical infrastructures were under attack, leakage of sensitive data and serious disruption on the normal operation of society might occur. Therefore, the capabilities of cyber security personnel and managers to respond to attacks, as well as the cyber security levels of their organisations were particularly important.

The Chief Executive Officer of the HKIRC, Mr Wong Ka-wai, also pointed out that cultivating cyber security talents was crucial to Hong Kong’s digital future. He hoped that the tournament would help identify promising young talents, allowing them to engage with top industry experts and enhance their professionalism.

The event provided cyber attack and defence training for a total of 160 personnel from more than 70 organisations, and attracted over 300 teams, comprising 740 industry and academic elites, to participate in the tournament.

The organisers believed that the active participation of stakeholders could enhance the cyber security level in Hong Kong and strengthen collaboration among various stakeholders.

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two more new drugs approved under "1+" mechanism

A Governmentspokesmanannounced today that two more new drugs submitted for registration under the new drug approval mechanism ("1+" mechanism) announced in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address have been approved for registration in Hong Kong. These new oral drugs in two different dosages are used to treat hypercalcaemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma and in certain patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, bringing more treatment options for patients.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has implemented the "1+" mechanism since November 1, 2023. Under the "1+" mechanism, new drugs used for treatment of life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases that are supported with local clinical data are only required to submit approval from a drug regulatory authority in one of the reference places (instead of two originally) and be recognised by local experts to be registered in Hong Kong.

The above products for hypercalcaemia have been approved by the drug regulatory authority in Japan and submitted for registration application in Hong Kong under the "1+" mechanism. Having considered the clinical data submitted by the applicant and advices given by local expert, the Registration Committee under the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong considered that the new drugs satisfied the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality, and approved the registration of the new drugs. The Department of Health (DH) has already notified the applicant of the result of the application. The HKSAR Government will also complete the relevant registration processes in accordance with established procedures.

The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address announced that the Government will leverage the medical strengths of the HKSAR with the long-term objective of establishing an authority that registers drugs and medical devices (medical products) under the "primary evaluation" approach, i.e. to directly approve applications for registration of medical products in Hong Kong based on clinical trial data, without relying on registration approval from other drug regulatory authorities. This will help accelerate the clinical use of new drugs and medical devices, and foster the development of industries relating to the research and development and clinical trials of medical products, developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovative hub.

Since the implementation of the "1+" mechanism, two new drug applications for treating metastatic colorectal cancer and one for treating paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria were approved under the "1+" mechanism in December 2023 and July 2024 respectively. The first two new drugs approved under the "1+" mechanism for treating metastatic colorectal cancer have been listed under the category of "Special Drug" on the Hospital Authority (HA) Drug Formulary. Patients prescribed these two drugs under specified clinical applications are only required to pay standard fees and charges, which are substantially subsidised, greatly alleviating their financial burden. It is estimated that around 300 patients will benefit every year. The HA will encourage drug manufacturers or suppliers to apply for local registration of unregistered drugs with ongoing needs and continue to liaise closely with the DH regarding the "1+" mechanism.

At the same time, the DH has been promoting the "1+" mechanism through different channels, and has received over 250 enquiries involving more than 70 pharmaceutical companies. More companies have expressed interest in applying for registration under the "1+" mechanism.While the "1+" mechanism brings good drugs for use in Hong Kong, the requirements of local clinical data and recognition by relevant expert for application for registration (the "+" under the "1+" mechanism) will ensure all the pharmaceutical products approved for registration have fulfilled the stringent requirements of safety, efficacy and quality. It will also strengthen the local capacity of drug evaluation and enhance the development of relevant software, hardware and expertise.

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