Building a Digital Defence Line to Safeguard National Security
HKCT and HKtag Launch “SHIELDtag Cybersecurity Challenge 2026” in Support of National Security Education Day
(15 April 2026, Hong Kong) To mark the 11th National Security Education Day, Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) and the Hong Kong Technology Advancement Group (HKtag) jointly organised the event entitled “Cybersecurity for our Nation: Challenges of Hong Kong Youth in the Digital Age” and the launch ceremony of the "SHIELDtag" Cybersecurity Challenge 2026 at the HKCT Jockey Club Undergraduate Campus today.
The event brought together representatives from the government, industry, academia and research sectors, attracting more than 150 secondary and tertiary students. It aimed to enhance cybersecurity awareness among Hong Kong’s younger generation and officially launch an upcoming cybersecurity competition designed specifically for secondary school students across Hong Kong.
Government, Industry, Academia and Research Sectors Join Forces to Strengthen National Cybersecurity
In his keynote address, Mr. Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, Under Secretary for Security, emphasised that cybersecurity is integral to national security and closely linked to citizens' daily lives. He noted that when young people learn to identify online threats and protect personal privacy, they are already contributing to overall cybersecurity. He commended the cross-sector collaboration between HKCT and HKtag in extending cybersecurity education to the secondary school level and encouraged students to translate awareness into action by cultivating sound cybersecurity practices.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Prof. Witman Hung, Advisor to HKtag, said that cybersecurity has become an indispensable line of defence for national security in the digital age. He remarked, “As digital natives, Hong Kong’s youth must first develop strong digital literacy and defensive awareness if they are to harness the benefits of innovation and technology fully.” He expressed hope that the "SHIELDtag" Challenge, with its hands-on and practical elements, would inspire students to evolve from passive users of technology into proactive defenders of cyberspace.
Experts Share Real-life Cases and Insights into Digital-era Challenges
Mr. Lam Cheuk-ho, Chief Superintendent of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, highlighted that cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years. Young people, as frequent users of social media platforms and emerging technologies, can easily become targets of cybercriminals, making vigilance more important than ever. He noted that through simulated cyberattack and defence scenarios, the "SHIELDtag" Challenge enables students to understand risks and learn defensive strategies in a practical environment, laying the groundwork for addressing real-world cyber threats in the future.
Mr. Chan Sai-cheong, Chief Systems Manager (Project Governance and Cybersecurity) of the Digital Policy Office, stated that cybersecurity is an indispensable component of the national security framework amid accelerating digital transformation. He encouraged participating students to remember that the ultimate purpose of learning cyber offence and defence techniques is protection. Through practical experience, he said, students can transform technical skills into a sense of responsibility for safeguarding the digital society and develop into professionals equipped with deep knowledge, hands-on experience and strong response capabilities.
Inspiring Young People to Think Defensively Through Experiential Learning
Speaking on how young people can better prepare themselves, Mr. Caspar Tsui, Youth and Community Advisor of HKtag, reminded students that while artificial intelligence, social media and digital applications offer great convenience, they also present risks related to the collection and misuse of personal data. He encouraged students not only to learn defensive strategies but also to understand the mindset and attack patterns of hackers, enabling them to build stronger cyber defences and become future cybersecurity professionals.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eddie Cheung, Founder and President of HKtag, shared insights under the theme “How Secure Is Your Information Security Awareness?” He stressed that “individual information security awareness is closely connected to the security of society and even national security. Cybersecurity has become the first line of defence in protecting our society and our nation.” He explained that the "SHIELDtag" Challenge provides a legal and secure Capture The Flag (CTF) environment where students can gain firsthand experience in cyber offence and defence concepts while nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity guardians.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Chan Cheuk-hei, President of HKCT and Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), noted that cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of IT professionals but an essential subject for everyone in society. He described the "SHIELDtag" Challenge as a valuable practical exercise for navigating the future digital world.
“This competition is suitable for all students, including those without a computer science background,” he said. “Through the competition, we hope to nurture future cybersecurity experts and empower more young people to help protect Hong Kong and our nation.”
He called on stakeholders from the government, industry, academia and research sectors to work together: “Let us join hands, starting with improving our own level of information security awareness, and contribute collectively to safeguarding our community and our nation’s cybersecurity.”
Putting Knowledge into Practice: SHIELDtag Cybersecurity Challenge 2026 Now Open for Registration
The HKCT x HKtag "SHIELDtag" Cybersecurity Challenge 2026 is open to full-time Secondary 3 to Secondary 6 students in Hong Kong and will be conducted in the Capture The Flag (CTF) format. A series of free pre-competition training workshops will be offered to help beginners acquire fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and skills.
Registration is now open and will close on 8 May 2026. Participation is free of charge.
The organisers encourage secondary school students across Hong Kong to seize this opportunity, form teams and participate actively in fostering a safer and healthier cyberspace.
For competition details and registration information, please visit: https://www.hkct.edu.hk/en/cybersecurity-challenge-2026
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