Police, IT Education Centre, Symantec and Tung Wah Group Unite in "Cyber Ethics" Internet Security Education Day
Joint Programme to Raise Internet Security Awareness Among Hong Kong's Youth
Hong Kong -- 21 August 2004 - Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC), the global leader in information security, has teamed with the Hong Kong Police's Commercial Crime Bureau, the IT Education Centre, and the Community Services Division of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to hold the "Cyber Ethics" Internet Security Education Day. The aim of the event is to promote greater awareness of Internet security ethics among Hong Kong's youth in the primary and secondary education system.
The "Cyber Ethics" Internet Security Education Day took place on Saturday 21 August at Buddhist Lim Kim Tian Memorial Primary School, Phase 5, Kwai Fong Estate, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong from 12-4pm.
According to the latest Hong Kong Police statistics, there were 106 online gaming fraud-related cases reported in the first half of 2004, mostly involving perpetrators under the age of 18 illegally obtaining account passwords and monetary and score points fraud. Although there has been a 28 percent decrease in cases related to online gaming compared to the same period last year, with computer literacy commencing at an ever younger age it is important to educate schoolchildren as early as possible about the legal and ethical implications of their Internet use.
"Preventing cyber crime is a top priority for the law enforcement agency," said Sean Lin, Senior Inspector of Police, Technology Crime Division, Commercial Crime Bureau, Hong Kong Police Force. "The Internet has emerged as an arena for many youths who may consider it permissible to break the rules without severe consequences. It is important for the police to drive home the message that online crime is serious."
The "Cyber Ethics" Internet Security Education Day included an education seminar for young people on the various aspects of online activity including ethical, psychological, legal and technological implications. The organisers also held a question and answer competition and a drama contest to encourage audience participation.
"Symantec is proud to be part of this important security awareness initiative," said David Sykes, Senior Director of Symantec, Asia Pacific. "We hope this initiative will help Hong Kong's youth better understand the social order of the Internet in the new cyber-society."
"Not only does Cyber Ethics bring together Internet ethics with security issues, it'll guide the participants on how to use the Internet and their PCs properly," said Amanda Siu, Project Manager of IT Education Centre. "We are delighted that IT education is taking another leap forward with this initiative."
"As educators and one of the leading welfare organisations, Tung Wah Group views social values education as a top priority in safeguarding future generations," said Chen-yang Low, Centre Supervisor, Yu Mak Yuen Integrated Services Centre, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. "Cyber Ethics Day is a proactive approach to teaching young people about ethical issues involving the Internet. We look forward to seeing the fruits of the four parties' labour."
About Technology Crime Prevention Unit
Technology Crime Prevention Unit (TCPU) is a unit under the Technology Crime Division (TCD) of the Hong Kong Police and responsible for the formulation and implementation of public awareness and crime prevention programs on computer security and technology crime related matters.
About IT Education Centre
The HKITEC aims at promoting information technology and providing high quality training to the community. Our services include regular IT courses, seminars and visits. Through these activities, teachers, students and parents can upgrade their skill set and enrich their knowledge.
About Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals was established in 1870 under the mission: "To heal the sick and to relieve the distressed, to care for the elderly and to rehabilitate the disabled, to promote education and to nurture youngsters; and to raise the infants and to guide the children."
After 133 years of development, Tung Wah has grown to become the largest non-governmental organization in Hong Kong with over 10,000 staff, operating a vast network of 189 service centres that include medical and health, education as well as community services. Each year, Tung Wah organizes various large-scale events to raise funds for its service development and the provision of free medical services. The website of Tung Wah is http://www.tungwah.org.hk.
About Symantec
Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec's Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at http://www.symantec.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please view the Symantec Press Center at http://www.symantec.com/PressCenter/ on Symantec's Web site. All prices noted are in US dollars and are valid only in the United States.
Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of Symantec Corporation. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.
|
