The hacking crisis affecting the financial sector has spread from commercial banks to securities firms and asset management companies, prompting South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT to take decisive action. The ministry is supporting financial authorities in managing the incident while also preparing a comprehensive security strategy that includes bolstering the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and establishing an AI-based real-time defense system.
On October 28, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hun stated at the Government Complex in Seoul regarding the recent personal data breach in the financial sector, "If the Financial Services Commission requests, the Ministry of Science and ICT and KISA plan to support inspections and the design of response measures," adding, "We are in close discussions with the Financial Services Commission."
On the same day, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced plans to conduct inspections of over 170 major information and communication infrastructure facilities, including telecommunications, platforms, and finance, by the end of the year.
Measures to enhance the system for proactive responses to hacking incidents are also under consideration. Deputy Prime Minister Baek noted, "We are contemplating creating a system that allows for investigations of hacking incidents before reporting them under the Information and Communications Network Act," emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing the situation.
In light of concerns that KISA has not been fulfilling its critical role in responding to cyber threats, the ministry is moving forward with the dismissal process for the current director and plans to enhance the agency's capabilities.
According to the National Assembly, the final decision on the director's dismissal now rests with the president, who has the authority to appoint. A National Assembly official stated, "Only the presidential judgment remains in this situation." Previously, KISA's board of directors voted to recommend the director's dismissal in August. A service audit conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT from March to May identified ten issues, including violations of fiduciary duties and inadequate management of the agency's operations.
Deputy Prime Minister Baek emphasized the need to strengthen KISA's role in terms of personnel and facilities, stating, "We must also develop a real-time defense system using AI models."
He highlighted the importance of advancing the defense system utilizing AI beyond intrusion detection and vulnerability analysis to real-time responses. He remarked, "As hacking becomes more complex with the combination of human expertise and AI technology, we need to establish a system that can proactively respond using AI models."
Baek cited antivirus programs like V3 and AhnLab's vaccine as examples, explaining, "It is crucial to move beyond merely detecting and analyzing simple intrusions and assessing risks to create a system capable of real-time and proactive responses."
Regarding the AI model specialized in cybersecurity, he expressed the need for both speed and completeness. When asked if the development timeline should be expedited, he replied, "It would be great if we could do it quickly, but it shouldn't be done hastily to the point of compromising quality. We are collaborating with overseas AI companies, and we believe we should develop it properly for our use."
Plans for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy will also be established based on inter-agency cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Baek stated, "Smooth communication between the National Security Council, which serves as the overall control tower, and the ministries is essential," adding, "We plan to formulate a comprehensive strategy at the inter-ministerial level."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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