Innovation and Technology leadership series thematic seminar held to enhance capabilities of Government senior management in spearheading implementation of digital government (with photos)

     The Digital Policy Office (DPO) and the Civil Service College (CSC) jointly launched the Innovation and Technology (I&T) leadership series thematic seminar for the senior management of the Government today (November 27). The seminar series serves to further enhance the understanding and capabilities of the senior management in information system management, cybersecurity and data security, thereby enabling them to lead their teams to build a secure and high-quality digital government. The first seminar held today was attended by about 80 senior directorates from various government bureaux and departments.
 
     In delivering his opening remarks, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government understands that digital security is the prerequisite for high-quality development. In this regard, as we are actively driving the digital transformation of public services, we have to spare no effort in enhancing cybersecurity of government departments and other public bodies to provide more stable and high-quality public services. With the importance the Government attaches to I&T development, the directorate management has to be well-equipped with emergency response capabilities and bottom-line thinking in handling technology incidents. They should also encourage frontline staff in the departments to navigate the digital landscape with agility in order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public services delivery."
 
     In his welcome remarks, the Head of the CSC, Mr Oscar Kwok, said that promoting I&T application is a strategic imperative for the HKSAR Government to improve the efficacy of governance and the quality of public services, and steering of senior leaders is the key. In addition to adopting an innovative mindset, leaders should drive reforms with vigour and have the courage to overcome the inertia of conventional modus operandi and delineation of authorities and responsibilities in order to drive departments to leverage technology for innovation. They also need to strengthen information systems security, cybersecurity and data security, and strike a balance between technology application and safeguarding security. Furthermore, senior leaders should create an organisational culture that embraces I&T and prioritise staff training. They should foster an open environment that is conducive for staff to actively involve themselves in technology application and proactively exchange and collaborate with other departments for service enhancements. These will in turn foster innovation in society, and drive Hong Kong's economic restructuring and sustainable development in the long run. 
 
     This seminar marks the beginning of the thematic series for enhancing digital skills and digital government management capabilities of the senior management of the Government. Speakers of the seminar included the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, with topics covering strengthening project governance of information systems, protection of cybersecurity and leveraging central information and technology platforms. The DPO also invited an industry representative in cybersecurity and I&T applications to share and exchange views, enabling government officials to keep abreast of the latest trends in cybersecurity and related technical products and solutions. The DPO will continue to closely collaborate with the CSC to provide relevant training with a view to broadening the scope of knowledge and horizons of civil servants, as well as encouraging them to enhance public services with wider application of technology.