Hong Kong Completes Successful Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025, Enhancing Preparedness for Upcoming National Events.

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes

The Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025, spearheaded by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) in collaboration with the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, Cyberport, the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology, concluded last night (October 12).

To conduct a thorough and in-depth evaluation of the defence capabilities of participating government departments and public organisations by inspecting their Internet-facing information systems and identifying security vulnerabilities, the drill employed practical combat scenarios. The drill also aimed to prepare the cybersecurity readiness capabilities for the upcoming 15th National Games and the Legislative Council General Election, which will be held in November and December this year respectively.

Following the success of the first Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill organised by the DPO last year, the overall scale of the drill this year was significantly expanded to cover more public services. A total of 34 government departments and public organisations participated as defenders (Blue Teams), while the number of Red Teams acting as attackers increased to 15. They comprised experienced Hong Kong and Mainland cybersecurity professional practitioners, higher education institutions and three leading attacking teams recommended by the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province, fully reflecting the collaboration and exchanges in cybersecurity between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, witnessed the successful conclusion of this year's Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill at the event's venue last night (October 12), alongside representatives from the co-organisers. He expressed gratitude to all co-organisers, the Red and Blue Teams, referees and support staff, and encouraged all parties to continue joining forces to strengthen Hong Kong's cybersecurity defence capability.

The drill, which was launched on October 10 and spanned three days for a total of 60 hours, was conducted in a controlled manner. The Red Teams, acting as attackers, launched simulated cyberattacks in a strictly controlled environment on designated information systems and electronic service platforms of participating government departments and public organisations which are already in operation to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, the Blue Teams tried their best to fend off these attacks in daily system operation scenarios. All participating systems and services remained in normal operation during the drill. Reports of the drill will be provided to the relevant participating government departments or public organisations for reference and follow ups.

In addition, over 250 representatives from more than 60 government departments and organisations took part in the drill on-site as observers to monitor the operation and progress of the exercise and learn more about the latest trends in cybersecurity threats. The Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Mr Daniel Cheung, also visited the drill venue and communicated with the Red Teams, referees, and support staff to understand the progress of the drill.

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Drill 2025 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).

The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."

The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."

The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.

Source: AI-found images