HKCNSA Luncheon Explores Crisis Communications and Trust Management During Cyber Incidents
On 22 October 2026, the Hong Kong China Network Security Association (HKCNSA) hosted the “Bulletproofing Corporate Communications in a Cyber Crisis Luncheon” at The Park Lane Hong Kong. The event brought together professionals from cybersecurity, corporate management, legal, public relations, and risk management sectors to discuss crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management during cyber incidents. Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants explored how organizations can maintain public trust and minimize business and reputational impact during a cyber crisis.
The event commenced with welcome remarks by David Ip, Founding Chairman of HKCNSA. He noted that cyber incidents are no longer purely technical events, but also matters of trust. During a crisis, effective communication with employees, customers, business partners, and the public has become a critical component of incident management. He expressed his hope that the luncheon would provide a platform for industry exchange and discussion on practical approaches to cyber crisis management and communications.
Following the opening remarks, Chris Wong, Chief Systems Engineer at Veeam Software, delivered a keynote presentation titled“Inside the Economics of Cyber Extortion.” The presentation examined recent developments in ransomware attacks and data extortion cases, and explored how threat actors use data theft, reputational damage, and stakeholder pressure to strengthen their negotiation position during cyber incidents.
Chris Wong also highlighted the growing prevalence of social engineering attacks. He noted that cybercriminals increasingly rely on impersonation tactics involving executives, business partners, and technical support personnel to gain trust and bypass security controls. He emphasized that attack methods have gradually evolved from exploiting technical vulnerabilities to exploiting human trust, underscoring the importance of employee awareness and crisis preparedness alongside technical defenses.
The panel discussion, titled “Trust Under Fire: Executive Decision-Making in High-Stakes Cyber Crises,” was moderated by Lydia Tsui, Director of Brunswick Group. Panelists included Davy Lin, IT Security Officer at AASTOCKS.COM LIMITED; Sankar S. Villupuram, Director at ARUP; George Wong, Managing Director, Greater China at Blackpanda; and Ronald Fung, Chief of Staff and Chief People Officer at Animoca Brands. Drawing on perspectives from cybersecurity, corporate leadership, crisis response, and corporate communications, the panel explored decision-making considerations during cyber incidents and shared practical experiences in stakeholder communications and trust management.
The discussion focused on communication and decision-making during cyber incidents. Panelists explored whether organizations should engage with threat actors, how cybersecurity and communications teams can collaborate effectively, and how organizations can balance timely disclosure with the need for accuracy. Speakers noted that cyber incidents often affect multiple stakeholder groups, including customers, employees, business partners, regulators, and the public. Organizations should therefore identify key stakeholders in advance and establish clear crisis communication mechanisms to ensure timely and consistent messaging during an incident.
The panel also examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence and social media on crisis management. As both information and misinformation can spread rapidly, organizations must address not only the incident itself but also public perception and external expectations. Panelists emphasized that risk-based cyber resilience strategies, cross-functional collaboration, and regular crisis communication exercises can help organizations respond more effectively and maintain stakeholder trust during times of uncertainty.
HKCNSA extends its sincere appreciation to Veeam Software, Blackpanda, and all speakers and guests for their support. The luncheon provided valuable opportunities for industry professionals to exchange views on cyber crisis communications, reputation management, and incident response strategies, while deepening understanding of executive decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and trust preservation during cyber incidents.
Looking ahead, HKCNSA will continue to promote industry collaboration and knowledge sharing in cybersecurity, crisis management, and organizational resilience, helping to strengthen digital trust and cybersecurity preparedness across Hong Kong.
