Hong Kong clarifies no ban on personal communication tools for gov't staff

Instead, bureaus and departments were given six months to implement alternatives like isolated computers.

The Hong Kong government clarified that its IT security guidelines do not restrict staff from using communication tools such as WhatsApp or WeChat.

The office made the statement in response to media enquiries concerning the use of personal webmail, public cloud storage and the web versions of instant messaging services.

In the updated guidelines issued in April, the office reminded that using utilities and services like personal webmail, public cloud storage, and instant messaging services on desktop computers connected to the government’s internal network poses potential security risks. These risks must be carefully managed amidst rising cyber threats, it added.

As part of the guidelines, staff must obtain approval from departmental management before using such services on internal network-connected desktops. 

To address operational needs, bureaus and departments were given six months to implement alternatives. These include providing staff with mobile devices or dedicated computers that are isolated from the internal network, allowing the continued use of communication tools or bureau-developed application systems.

The guidelines aim to reinforce internal network security, and the Digital Policy Office emphasised that they do not prohibit the use of commonly used instant messaging apps by government staff.

Since the guidelines' release, the office has organised several briefing sessions to guide bureaus and departments on the requirements, offered technical advice, and provided solutions to ensure compliance within the set timeframe.