Briefing by the Secretary for Security on the Chief Executive’s 2018 Policy Address
Cyber crime
Mr CHAN Chun-ying expressed concern that according to a report released by a global cyber security company, over two million persons in Hong Kong were victims of cyber attack. He considered that the Administration should establish a website for free download of cyber security software by members of the public.
S for S responded that while different tactics were adopted by the Police to combat such crime, it was inappropriate for the Administration to disclose the operational methods adopted by the Police. He said that officers of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Police attended international conferences to update their knowledge on the latest trend of cyber crime. It played an important role in international police cooperation to combat cyber crime. A mechanism had been established for its exchange of intelligence on cyber crime with LEAs of other jurisdictions on a 24-hour basis. The Police had also established the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (“ADCC”), which had set up a 24-hour telephone hotline to receive reports of deception, answer enquiries and provide timely assistance to victims. ADCC cooperated with the banking sector to intercept payments to fraudsters, so as to minimize the loss of victims.
Application of innovation and technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities
Mr CHAN Chun-ying welcomed the application of innovation and technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Referring to paragraph 3 of the Administration’s paper, he asked how the employment of video analytics would enhance the efficiency of prison management and level of security in prisons. S for S responded that for example, the gathering of persons in custody (“PICs”) at a few spots during meal time in a penal institution might be an indication of possible fighting amongst PICs. Video analytics would facilitate the early detection of such gathering of PICs, thus enabling timely deployment of correctional staff to the scene. The deployment of digital wristband for patients in the hospital of a penal institution would also facilitate the monitoring of the pulse rate of patients.
Referring to paragraph 4 of the Administration’s paper, Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether the research and development (“R&D”) work concerned would be carried out by LEAs on their own S for S responded that besides dedicated R&D teams in the Police, the R&D work was also carried out by external experts when necessary. Technological support was also provided by relevant government departments, if necessary.
Briefing by the Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption on the Chief Executive’s 2018 Policy Address
Corruption in public works projects
Mr CHAN Chun-ying declared that he was a member of the Operations Review Committee (“ORC”) and the Witness Protection Review Board of ICAC. Referring to paragraph 14 of ICAC’s paper, he said that corruption in public works projects were usually uncovered by the employees of contractors, who might not prefer lodging a complaint by electronic mail or in person. He asked whether there were other channels for such employees to lodge corruption complaints. C/ICAC responded that besides lodging a corruption complaint in person or by electronic mail, a person could also lodge a corruption complaint through making a telephone call to the ICAC hotline or writing a letter to ICAC.
Corruption in lift maintenance projects
Referring to paragraph 16 of the Administration’s paper, Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether ICAC would take actions to prevent corruption in lift maintenance works arising from the Lift Modernization Subsidy Scheme (“LIMSS”).
DCP/ICAC responded that ICAC provided early corruption prevention advice in the Administration’s formulation of new policies and new subsidy schemes as and when necessary. ICAC also assisted building owners to put in place corruption prevention safeguards in their management of building maintenance projects under various subsidy schemes. Regarding LIMSS, ICAC had started to provide corruption prevention advice to relevant policy bureau at an early stage when the scheme was being drawn up. ICAC would assist the policy bureau/ government department and the implementation agent responsible for LIMSS to develop corruption prevention measures in administering the subsidy scheme.