Hong Kong Police Conducts Joint Cyber and Terrorism Exercise to Enhance Response Capabilities

2024-09-21 17:02 Last Updated At：17:18

Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 successfully concludes

The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force held the Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 codenamed BATTLEAIR in collaboration with the INTERPOL and the Macao Judiciary Police today (September 21) to enhance participants’ capabilities in responding to cyber attacks and physical counter terrorism.

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Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

This was Phase II of the exercise, which built on the successful completion of Phase I tabletop exercise conducted last month (August 14) and put in place its outcome in this physical exercise today.

More than 230 local, Macao and overseas members from the INTERPOL, the Macao Judiciary Police, CSTCB, Airport District (APTDIST), Emergency Unit of New Territories South (EU NTS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, Police Tactical Unit, Airport Authority Hong Kong and Aviation Security Company Limited participated in the physical exercise.

The exercise simulated a scenario in which four terrorists launched cyber attacks against Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Companhia de Electricidade de Macau with the aim to paralyse public services and cause public panic. During the exercise, terrorists not only placed suspicious items and operated drones to create chaos but also attempted to carry out armed attacks on members of the public.

In response to the terrorist plot, APTDIST and EU NTS acted quickly to stop and apprehend the three terrorists. Regarding cyber security, CSTCB officers conducted incident response, digital forensics works and system recovery to address the hacking into the computer systems of HKIA. They also shared intelligence with the INTERPOL and the Macao Judiciary Police, which ultimately led to the successful arrest of other fleeing terrorists in Macao by the Macao Judiciary Police.

Representatives of KPMG Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited were invited for the first time to provide valuable insights and participate in the exercise as a member of the Cyber Security Action Task Force, fostering collaboration between public and private organisations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming also attended and monitored the exercise. The Force hoped that this exercise could strengthen the capabilities of participants in responding to cyber attacks and physical counter terrorism, as well as foster the communication between management agencies of critical infrastructures and the Force and enhance the efficiency of the workflow when handling terrorist attacks, in order to prevent incidents before they occur and to respond swiftly together when necessary.

Government Intervenes to Appoint Temporary Manager for Wang Fuk Court Amid Management Issues

Remarks by SHYA at media session regarding management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (with photo/video)

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, met the media this afternoon (December 19) on the management of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Following are the remarks at the question-and-answer session:

Reporter: Could you detail in English to speak more about the reason for the Government to directly intervene and dismiss the Wang Fuk Court owner's corporation and also what are the factors being considered to appoint the Chinachem Group as a temporary manager? How long will this takeover last? What is the subsequent plan after that?

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I just said, the Government has acted according to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) section 31 to apply to the Lands Tribunal today to submit an application to dissolve the owners' corporation committee and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited which is a subsidiary of Chinachem Group as the administrator to handle all the day to day operation of the management committee. This action will only help the owners of the Wang Fuk Court to handle various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance. Hop On Management Company has already stated that they will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and the Nina Wang Charity Trustees has agreed to contribute five million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court. We try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court handle all the complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance.

Reporter: Could you please detail the roles of the existing owners’ corporation and the upcoming property manager? Does it include a fire safety? What will you do with the existing property manager? As at this point, do you think it is responsible for the fire safety?

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: As I said, the Hop On Management Company will serve those Wang Fuk Court owners on a pro bono basis and provide them with professional property management services. This act will help the owners to get professional assistance when they decide how to execute or how to make a decision for Wang Fuk Court. The existing management committee and the property management company, as far as we know, the existing contract with the property management company will end by the end of this month. No matter whether they will extend the contract or not, we see that there will be a need for Wang Fuk Court owners to get professional assistance from a professional property management company. We think this is a way to help residents and owners of Wang Fuk Court.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Hong Kong Police Conducts Joint Cyber and Terrorism Exercise to Enhance Response Capabilities

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