Digital Policy Office Ensures Cybersecurity for Upcoming National Games in Hong Kong

DPO completes developing IT systems for 15th National Games and fully supports events to operate safely and smoothly

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) yesterday (August 11), on the occasion of 90 days before the opening of the 15th National Games (NG), reported to the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, on the preparatory work for the IT infrastructure of the Hong Kong competition region for the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The DPO will fully support the secure and stable operation of the relevant information systems, ensuring the smooth operation of the Games with the result-oriented goal of achieving "zero cybersecurity risk and zero interruption to the operation of events".

Professor Sun held a working meeting with the DPO, during which he was briefed on the progress in system development, cybersecurity protection and contingency exercises. He pointed out that the application of innovation and technology is key to raising the operational standards of large-scale sports events in the face of increasingly severe cybersecurity challenges. He encouraged the team to press ahead with the goal, in particular refining various contingency plans, with professionalism and a careful and stringent approach, to provide stable, efficient and secure technical support to the Games.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, said that cybersecurity is one of the primary focuses of this IT infrastructure initiative. Drawing on the experiences of the Asian Games and the Asian Winter Games, the IT infrastructure adopts the principle of "respond instantly, recover rapidly" and combines multi-layered cybersecurity protection and monitoring with a comprehensive contingency plan to ensure "zero interruption"to the Games. The development of the relevant IT systems of the Games was gradually completed in June, and work including high-intensity stress tests, security tests, red team exercises, and emergency response drills is under way to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the systems.

The DPO has been providing IT support to the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) in planning and building the core IT systems and network infrastructure for the Hong Kong competition region. It has started testing and contingency drills in phases. Starting from August, the DPO will launch multiple rounds of joint system testing and live exercises with Guangdong and Macao counterparts to ensure seamless system connectivity, smooth operation of network and data flow across the three places, while further enhancing cross-boundary co-ordination and emergency response capabilities in system operations and cybersecurity to make preparations for the upcoming competitions.

DPO completes developing IT systems for 15th National Games and fully supports events to operate safely and smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DPO completes developing IT systems for 15th National Games and fully supports events to operate safely and smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DPO completes developing IT systems for 15th National Games and fully supports events to operate safely and smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Man convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing alternative smoking products for sale

A man was sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on January 14 for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing alternative smoking products for sale, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance.

During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in a commercial building in Tsuen Wan on October 20, 2025, Customs officers intercepted a 40-year-old man who claimed to be a warehouse assistant for inspection and seized a total of about 980 000 illicit cigarettes and 620 000 alternative smoking products from his trolley and a unit inside the building. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million, and the duty potential of the illicit cigarettes was about $3.2 million.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Moreover, under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Man convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing alternative smoking products for sale Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases