The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) hosted a "Cyber Security Seminar on Ransomware" on April 28, with more than 250 information technology professionals from five critical infrastructural sectors, namely banking and financial services, transportation and shipping services, communication services, public services and government services, attending the seminar.

Officiating at the seminar, Acting CSTCB Senior Superintendent (SSP) Law Yuet-wing emphasised that the global cyber security threat remained high. If a critical infrastructure was attacked, it would have a significant impact on the economy and public safety, interfere with the functioning of the community and undermine the security of the affected areas. On the other hand, Chief Inspector Lau Ka-ho explained the trend of ransomware, ways of online criminals intruding victims' computers to spread viruses through spams, encrypt their files and demand ransom in exchange of decryption keys. Acting Chief Inspector Hui Yee-wai also shared tips to prevent extortion software.

The seminar encouraged the persons-in-charge of critical infrastructure to develop contingency and recovery plans to minimise the impact of cyber attacks. Representatives of the five sectors took part actively in the discussion and gave positive feedbacks. They said that the seminar kept them abreast of the latest developments in the cyber security field, paving the way to maintain Hong Kong's secure and stable network environment.