In yesterday’s meeting of the Cybersecurity Commission, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, who chairs the entity, urged local government officials to “exclude formalism” in their work to safeguard the city’s cybersecurity.

According to a statement by the commission, yesterday’s meeting, the second one since its establishment, was held at Government Headquarters.

The commission started operating on December 22 last year, when the Cybersecurity Law came into force.

The Cybersecurity Law, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly (AL) in June last year, requires the setting-up of a commission overseeing cybersecurity issues, which is headed by the chief executive, and a centre to respond to cybersecurity incidents, the operation of which is coordinated by the Judiciary Police (PJ). The centre, officially known as Cybersecurity Incidents Alert and Response Centre, also started operating on December 22 last year.

According to the Cybersecurity Law, Macau’s cybersecurity system comprises three parts, namely: 1) the Cybersecurity Commission, 2) the Cybersecurity Incidents Alert and Response Centre, and 3) various government entities supervising the various operators of the city’s “critical infrastructures” – officially known as Cybersecurity Supervisory Entities in the law.

Ho lists 4 requirements

During yesterday’s meeting, Ho raised four requirements for the local government’s cybersecurity work. Firstly, the government must carry out its work to safeguard the city’s cybersecurity in line with national security, the statement quoted Ho as saying.

Secondly, the government has to place special emphasis on improving its cybersecurity system, understand the needs and views of residents and the operators of the city’s “critical infrastructures” concerning cybersecurity, and provide them with the necessary support, Ho said.

Thirdly, the government has to constantly increase residents’ awareness of cybersecurity and help cybersecurity staff working for the operators increase their skills, Ho said.

Fourthly, the government should carry out its cybersecurity work by “excluding formalism” and really getting the work done, Ho said during yesterday’s meeting. 

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (centre) presides over yesterday’s second meeting of the government’s Cybersecurity Commission at Government Headquarters. Photo: GCS