Invest Hong Kong reports information security incident
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (February 23) that an information security incident was identified yesterday (February 22). The incident involved a malicious ransomware attack to part of InvestHK's computer systems.
A spokesman for InvestHK said that upon identification of the incident, the department has taken immediate measures to further tighten its IT security systems to prevent further ransomware attacks. It has also followed established guidelines and procedures and reported the case to the Police, the Digital Policy Office (DPO), the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Security Bureau respectively on the same day. InvestHK condemns such malicious attacks and has already updated relevant access rights, isolated the affected systems, and activated back-up procedures.
InvestHK is working closely with the Police on the investigation. Preliminary findings indicated that the affected areas included an internal Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, intranet and part of InvestHK's website operations, such as the function to contact InvestHK via the website form and events updates. InvestHK's public services remain normal. Members of the public can continue to contact staff of InvestHK through telephone, email or face-to-face meetings.
Investigation is still underway to ascertain whether any personal data leakage is involved. Although this is an ongoing investigation, based on preliminary assessment, this could potentially include basic information on InvestHK's clients, such as the companies' contact information, and records of InvestHK staff. InvestHK will inform relevant parties if and when further updates are available.
The spokesman stressed that the department has been following Government procedures on information and cybersecurity. To further strengthen its system security measures, it is currently seeking advice from the DPO and has appointed experts to assist with the investigation and recovery.The department hoped the culprits can be brought to justice as soon as possible so as to safeguard information and cybersecurity.
The spokesman reiterated that InvestHK would not send embedded hyperlinks via emails, SMS messages or social media pages for collecting personal information or requesting for payment. It urges members of the public to stay alert and to refrain from clicking on any embedded links or providing any personal or financial information such as credit card information, or making any payment to suspicious emails or SMS messages. For enquiries, members of the public may call InvestHK General Enquiry Hotline at 3107 1000 or email enq@investhk.gov.hk.
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
