Concerns Over Zoom Bombing... Government Strengthens Monitoring, Utilizes White Hackers for Reward Reporting System

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] The government has decided to strengthen monitoring and operate a reward system using white hackers to address security concerns in video conferencing, including so-called Zoom bombing.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency announced on the 16th that they will promote ▲strengthened security monitoring and inspection ▲expansion of distribution of video conferencing services and products with verified security to ensure that the public and organizations can safely use video conferencing services and products.

This is in response to growing concerns about personal information leakage and hacking as non-face-to-face (untact) activities using video conferencing solutions have spread in workplaces and schools due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Around the world, hackers have exploited the weak security of video conferences and classes to display obscene materials and spew abusive language, making 'Zoom bombing' a serious issue. Additionally, concerns about privacy invasion through webcam and microphone hacking have also increased.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and ICT will focus on monitoring cyberattacks such as website tampering, smishing, and malware distribution, as well as new security vulnerability information. They will also promote a reward system using white hackers. Outstanding vulnerabilities will be selected quarterly, and rewards of up to 10 million KRW will be given based on evaluation results.

Furthermore, to expand the distribution of video conferencing services and products with verified security, the Ministry will ▲support security vulnerability inspections for domestic video conferencing services based on corporate demand and ▲provide up to 10 million KRW in security consulting and product cost support for small and micro service development companies. Administrative procedures will be simplified and consulting provided to help private companies quickly obtain cloud service security certification.

The Ministry of Science and ICT previously announced information security guidelines for telecommuting, remote work, and remote classes. Heo Seong-wook, Director of Information Protection Network Policy at the Ministry, said, “Security is the core of untact services, and we will continue to devise security measures so that the public and companies can use video conferencing services and products with confidence.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.