Hong Kong Enhances Cybersecurity Initiatives Amid Rising Threats in 2025 Briefing

Digital Policy Office introduces initiatives to promote cybersecurity in second half 2025

​The Digital Policy Office (DPO) held the Cybersecurity Initiatives Briefing for the Second Half of 2025 today (July 31) to introduce the key initiatives in the second half of the year, as well as to review the work on cybersecurity in the first half of the year. Representatives from the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC) and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) also shared the latest trends in cybercrime and a series of measures to strengthen the overall cybersecurity defence capabilities of the community.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, said that with rapid developments in the digital era, cybersecurity threats have grown increasingly severe. The Government is adopting a multipronged strategy to continuously enhance the cybersecurity resilience of Hong Kong. Reviewing the DPO's work on cybersecurity in the first half of the year, Mr Wong stated that in addition to co-ordinating with the HKIRC to launch the Cybersec One Programme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), schools, and non-governmental organisations in strengthening their cybersecurity protection level, the DPO also worked closely with the CSTCB, the HKCERT and various stakeholders to organise a range of awareness campaigns and cybersecurity drills to raise cybersecurity awareness and response capabilities among government departments and the public. In the second half of the year, the DPO will continue to launch a variety of initiatives, including co-ordinating with the HKCERT to implement the Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme, leading the organising of the second Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill, and hosting a series of activities to fully support the annual China Cybersecurity Week. These initiatives will further promote cross-sectoral and cross-regional collaboration, strengthen the local cybersecurity ecosystem, and drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong's digital economy.

At the briefing, the Chief Superintendent of the CSTCB, Mr Lam Cheuk-ho, announced the technology crime figures recorded in the first half of 2025. A total of 16 262 cases were recorded, with financial losses exceeding $3 billion, mainly attributable to substantial losses from online investment fraud, with both figures representing an increase of 0.5 per cent and 14.7 per cent respectively compared to the same period last year. Among these cases, there were only 42 incidents involving destructive hacking, a 22 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year. Mr Lam emphasised that in the face of escalating cybersecurity threats, the Police are intensifying law enforcement while actively strengthening the development of Hong Kong's cybersecurity ecosystem from multiple dimensions through raising public awareness, nurturing professionals and enhanced public-private partnerships to comprehensively solidify the city's cybersecurity defence.

The Chief Executive Officer of the HKIRC, Mr Wilson Wong, shared the latest security scan findings, which revealed that around 65 per cent of websites belonging to SMEs, educational and social welfare organisations are at risk of data leakage, reminding organisations to act proactively by patching vulnerabilities and strengthening cybersecurity measures. He encouraged enterprises and organisations to leverage the services of the Cybersec One Programme, including free website risk assessments, vulnerability identifications, staff training and phishing email drills in order to foster a cybersecurity culture and comprehensively improve defence capabilities.

The Chief Digital Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Edmond Lai, speaking on behalf of the HKCERT, highlighted findings from the 2024 Hong Kong Enterprise Cyber Security Readiness Index and AI Security Survey, noting that nearly 70 per cent of surveyed businesses had experienced cyberattacks, underscoring the urgent need for companies to continue strengthening cybersecurity measures to confront increasingly complex and frequent threats. He added that the Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme launched by the HKCERT will effectively connect cybersecurity service providers with local enterprises and organisations to help them find suitable solutions. The Programme is now open for applications, and the classified and vetted service providers will be showcased on a dedicated platform.

In conclusion, Mr Tony Wong emphasised the theme of "Cybersecurity for the People, Cybersecurity relies on the People", and maintained that cybersecurity requires the joint efforts of the whole society. Several large-scale major events will take place in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, including the 15th National Games and the Legislative Council general election, etc. These events extensively utilise information technology, and cybersecurity is critical to ensure the smooth execution of the large-scale events. The DPO will continue to partner with all sectors to launch diverse activities and training to continuously enhance Hong Kong's overall capabilities to tackle risks in cybersecurity, and he appealed for media support in jointly disseminating the importance of cybersecurity and the building of a safer and more resilient digital future.

Digital Policy Office introduces initiatives to promote cybersecurity in second half 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Digital Policy Office introduces initiatives to promote cybersecurity in second half 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Digital Policy Office introduces initiatives to promote cybersecurity in second half 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases