Wong King-cheung recognised for information security excellence

The Force has always encouraged officers to upgrade themselves and develop their expertise and hobbies during leisure time. Many officers have their own strengths, with Sergeant (SGT) Wong King-cheung as one of the examples. Built on his interest in information security, he has spent his spare time pursuing further studies in this field. His outstanding performance has not only brought him a number of internationally renowned awards, but also given him the opportunity to speak at many international information security conferences.

Developing IT interest in police work

Serving in a patrol sub-unit in Wong Tai Sin District, one would hardly expect SGT Wong to have any correlation with information security. He told OffBeat that he showed an initial interest in this topic when he was posted to the Commercial Crime Bureau's Technology Crime Division (TCD) (now the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau) in 2002.

SGT Wong said, "At that time I had only basic computer knowledge. After my transfer to the TCD, I began to combat technology crimes, and the Force made arrangements for me to take a six-month course in Professional Diploma in Computer Science. This laid a good foundation for my studies in the subject."

Since then, SGT Wong became interested in information security and took up further studies in the discipline at leisure time. During his posting in the TCD, a number of organisations had awarded him a series of professional qualifications in computer, namely the computer hacking forensics investigator, computer forensics, database administrator and computer system engineer, and he made use of the relevant technology to assist the Force in detecting many technology crimes.

IT achievements recognised

SGT Wong was transferred to the Crime Wing in 2012 and took up a frontline post last year. Although he has left the TCD, SGT Wong does not give up the pursuit of his interest and keeps on conducting relevant academic research. "As I am interested in information security, I am delighted in spending my leisure time to study technology crime. Through conducting research, I can adjust my emotion and perform duties to the best of my ability," he explained.

From 2012, SGT Wong has been working with many local and international professional information technology (IT) organisations in conducting research and exchange, and has published several papers on cyber and information security. He has also been invited to speak at international digital forensics research conferences in Japan, the United States (US) and Europe, showing that his professional qualifications have gained wide recognition.

SGT Wong was recognised as Honoree in the category of Senior Information Security Professional at an award presentation ceremony of the 2016 Asia-Pacific Information Security Leadership Achievements Programme organised by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium in Bangkok by the end of July. He is the third officer in the Force who received this prestigious award. In August, he was invited to speak on his latest research about Mobile Devices Analysis at the High-Tech Crime Investigation Association in Las Vegas. "I am glad that I can develop my interest and have the opportunities to speak at international conferences. This is an eye-opening experience to me, and has brought me a sense of accomplishment."

Developing hobbies & potential at work

SGT Wong who was promoted to the rank of Sergeant earlier this year enjoys frontline policing and has actively equipped himself to do his job. "With a growing IT trend, information security has become very important. This gives me greater impetus to continue to develop my interest and spend my spare time to conduct research in a bid to contribute to the development of information security in Hong Kong," he added.