Hong Kong College of Technology and Hong Kong Computer Society
join hands to organise the "First Hong Kong Cybersecurity Skills Competition"
to honour National Security Education Day
In order to raise public awareness and create a strong atmosphere for safeguarding national security and enhance the efficacy in preventing and resisting security risks, the Chinese Government has designated 15th April as “National Security Education Day” since 2015. In view of this, the Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) and the Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) have selected today to hold the finals of their debut the “First Hong Kong Cybersecurity Skills Competition”. The competition is unique in Hong Kong that winners will obtain nationally recognised professional qualifications in cybersecurity and relevant employment recommendations. It provides not only qualified career opportunities for cybersecurity professionals, but also raises the concern and awareness of cybersecurity among general public.
Prof. Chan Cheuk-hay, President and Principal of HKCT, said “HKCT is pleased to co-organise the ‘First Hong Kong Cybersecurity Skills Competition’ with HKCS. Cybersecurity forms one of the major pillars of national security. Through this competition, we hope to establish a mechanism for talent nurturing, assessment and rewarding that suit industry requirements and enhances the quality of professional skills of cybersecurity practitioners.”
Prof. Chan added that with the official implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, Hong Kong has unveiled a new chapter of development towards greater prosperity. As an educational institution, HKCT has a responsibility to cultivate a proper sense of the nation as well as social responsibility in the younger generation and promote their sense of belonging to Hong Kong with international insight by providing education and activities that enhance their awareness of national security.
Dr. Rocky Cheng, President of HKCS, pointed out that "being the longest established and largest information technology professional organisation in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Computer Society has always been committed to the professional development of the local information technology industry and the cultivation of young talents. This competition embodies the very purpose of us. In recent years, the development and application of emerging technologies have progressed rapidly, companies have been undergoing rapid digital transformation to enhance their competitiveness. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is also committed to promoting the development of the digital economy in Hong Kong, and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important to the government, enterprises and individuals. Besides, the high penetration rate of Internet applications in Hong Kong fuels a growing demand for network and information security management, which has long been lacking sufficient talents. In view of this, HKCS established a Cyber Security Specialist Group a few years ago, bringing together industry elites to promote cybersecurity awareness and strengthening related talent training. I strongly encourage the younger generation in Hong Kong to consider working in the information technology industry, especially in the fields of cybersecurity and information management, take more relevant courses in the university and capitalise the remarkable opportunities of this fast-growing industry.”
The rules of the “First Hong Kong Cybersecurity Skills Competition” were designed in accordance with relevant local laws and regulations of Hong Kong, as well as the Professional Standards for Network and Information Security issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Security of the People’s Republic of China. The competition has been supported by the government, business and academia, including the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the School of Science and Technology of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University and so on. Students of higher education institutions, in-service people who are ready to join the cybersecurity industry as well as people working in the related fields such as telecommunications, internet service, network and information security service and so on were targeted as participants. A total of 77 participants were shortlisted to compete in the finals.
The assessment is divided into theoretical knowledge and skills. The assessment of theoretical knowledge is mainly taken through electronic examinations, which mainly assesses the basic requirements and relevant knowledge requirements that practitioners should master in the cybersecurity profession while the skill assessment is mainly carried out by means of actual operation and simulated operation, and mainly assesses the skill level that practitioners should possess in the cybersecurity profession. The full marks of both assessments are all 100 points while individual scores of 60 points or above are considered qualified.
The top 5 winners will be confirmed by the Education Examination Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, and will be recognised as Network and Information Security Management Engineer (Advanced/Senior) and awarded Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Public Security Certificate of Network and Information Security Management (Advanced/Senior), with a cash prize of HK$20,000 or HK$10,000 as well as employment opportunities. Participants who achieve 60 points or above in both theoretical and practical evaluation in the final will be awarded the Certificate of Network and Information Security Management Engineer (Intermediate) issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Certificate of Network Security Service Capability Evaluation (Intermediate) issued by the Key Laboratory of Information Network Security of the Ministry of Public Security.
The winners will be announced at the awards presentation ceremony to be held on the morning of 28th April. Please refer to the official website for more details.
Prof. Sam Lam, Associate Vice President of HKCT (third from right), Chief Judge Professor Yiu Siu-ming, Professor of Hong King University (fourth from right), and Mr. Paul Wan, Convener of HKCS Cyber Security Specialist Group (fourth from left), took a group photo together with some expert reviewers.
