Hong Kong – Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 successfully concludes

     The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force held the Counter Cyber and Physical Terrorism Joint Exercise 2024 codenamed BATTLEAIR in collaboration with the INTERPOL and the Macao Judiciary Police today (September 21) to enhance participants’ capabilities in responding to cyber attacks and physical counter terrorism.
      
     This was Phase II of the exercise, which built on the successful completion of Phase I tabletop exercise conducted last month (August 14) and put in place its outcome in this physical exercise today.
      
     More than 230 local, Macao and overseas members from the INTERPOL, the Macao Judiciary Police, CSTCB, Airport District (APTDIST), Emergency Unit of New Territories South (EU NTS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, Police Tactical Unit, Airport Authority Hong Kong and Aviation Security Company Limited participated in the physical exercise.
      
     The exercise simulated a scenario in which four terrorists launched cyber attacks against Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Companhia de Electricidade de Macau with the aim to paralyse public services and cause public panic. During the exercise, terrorists not only placed suspicious items and operated drones to create chaos but also attempted to carry out armed attacks on members of the public.
      
     In response to the terrorist plot, APTDIST and EU NTS acted quickly to stop and apprehend the three terrorists. Regarding cyber security, CSTCB officers conducted incident response, digital forensics works and system recovery to address the hacking into the computer systems of HKIA. They also shared intelligence with the INTERPOL and the Macao Judiciary Police, which ultimately led to the successful arrest of other fleeing terrorists in Macao by the Macao Judiciary Police.
      
     Representatives of KPMG Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited were invited for the first time to provide valuable insights and participate in the exercise as a member of the Cyber Security Action Task Force, fostering collaboration between public and private organisations.
      
     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming also attended and monitored the exercise. The Force hoped that this exercise could strengthen the capabilities of participants in responding to cyber attacks and physical counter terrorism, as well as foster the communication between management agencies of critical infrastructures and the Force and enhance the efficiency of the workflow when handling terrorist attacks, in order to prevent incidents before they occur and to respond swiftly together when necessary.