Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong
The Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Ms Chiang Yi-lee, today (September 11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City University of Hong Kong (CityU) at the Customs Headquarters Building to advance the operational effectiveness of Customs detector dogs through the Smart Collar Research Project.
At the signing ceremony, Ms Chiang acknowledged that the enduring partnership between Customs and CityU encompasses various collaborative initiatives in both academic programmes and specialised training for the Customs Canine Force (CCF). This MOU signing not only marks a significant milestone in the partnership but also launches the Smart Collar Research Project, which aims to study, analyse, as well as optimise the utilisation of data collected from detector dogs including heart rates, respiratory rates and temperatures for enhanced enforcement capabilities and the welfare standards of detector dogs.
CityU, as Hong Kong's pioneer and sole provider of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme, has been offering invaluable support to Customs through comprehensive breeding training programmes, veterinary nursing expertise, and puppy development courses.
Looking ahead, Customs is dedicated to pursuing innovative collaborations with CityU to enhance the effectiveness of its canine operations. By leveraging academic expertise, Customs aims to implement advanced training techniques and technology, ultimately strengthening the impact of the CCF in safeguarding national security and Hong Kong's boundary.
The CCF has been making significant contributions to Hong Kong since its establishment in 1975. It currently maintains 70 detector dog teams, specialising in narcotics, explosives, currency, firearms, and tobacco detection, supported by more than 100 dedicated officers. To ensure a sustainable supply of high-calibre working dogs, Customs initiated its breeding programme in 2020. The programme has successfully produced 36 puppies to date.
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Smart Collar Research Project for canines with City University of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hospital Authority's statement regarding suspected incident of patient data being leaked on third-party platform
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following statement today (April 4) regarding the suspected incident of patient data being leaked on a third-party platform:
The HA's routine monitoring system detected at around 2am yesterday (April 3) a suspected case of patient data being taken without authorisation and leaked on a third-party platform. The HA promptly reported the matter to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in the morning, and will fully co-operate with the Police investigation and actions.
The more than 56 000 patients involved in the incident are from the Kowloon East Cluster. The leaked data contains information including patients' names, gender, Hong Kong identity card numbers, hospital file numbers, and details of surgical procedures.
The HA sincerely apologises to the affected patients and will take all practicable measures to minimise the impact on patients. The HA will notify the affected patients via the "HA Go" mobile application, mail and phone calls as soon as possible. The Kowloon East Cluster has also set up a dedicated hotline at 5215 7326 for patient enquiries. The hotline operates Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. Patients may also leave messages outside of hotline operating hours and staff will respond as soon as possible.
The HA takes cybersecurity very seriously, and has conducted a thorough review of its internal network systems upon discovering the incident, confirming that the systems are operating normally and securely, with no indication of a cyberattack or similar factors. The HA immediately suspended the contractor's system maintenance work.
The HA has been continuously implementing various measures to strengthen its healthcare systems, including ongoing enhancements to cybersecurity safeguards, user security awareness, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, as well as network monitoring and incident response capabilities. The HA will also collaborate with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity organisations to enhance cybersecurity, so as to ensure appropriate protection of hospital operations, patient services, and personal data security. The HA also urges affected patients to remain vigilant and be alert to whether their personal data may be used for other purposes, take steps to protect their personal data such as changing passwords, and seek police assistance if necessary.
Source: AI-found images
