Seoul to Reorganize in July: First Local Government to Launch Dedicated Information Security Department

2024.07.08. The Fair Economy — Seoul recently carried out an organizational reorganization aimed at strengthening its information security expertise. The city decided to establish and operate an Information Security Division, the first such dedicated department among local governments nationwide.

Previously, the city's information and communications security officer (a local senior official or local technical senior official) handled all information and communications and information security affairs.

However, as cyber threats have become more intelligent and sophisticated, the need for a specialized division to respond to them has gradually emerged.

To proactively respond to this environment, the city revised the "Enforcement Rules of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Establishment of Administrative Organizations" on June 28 and established the Information Security Division.

Subsequently, according to the city's personnel appointment issued on July 1, Kim Wan-jip, a local technical senior official, was appointed as the head of the Information Security Division.

Kim Wan-jip, head of the Information Security Division, said, "This is the first dedicated information security division among local governments nationwide. This reorganization aligns with the government's efforts to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, and we expect this to spark a nationwide movement, starting with Seoul, to strengthen information security expertise in smart cities."

He added, "We plan to announce the city's comprehensive information security plan in late July or early August. In particular, we intend to introduce a Zero Trust framework to support the establishment of smart work in the city's administration. This will enhance the efficiency of the city's administrative work."

The Information Security Division will be responsible for formulating and coordinating information security policies; overseeing and implementing information security audits; managing assessments of information security management and responding to cyber intrusion incidents; designating and operating major information and communications infrastructure facilities; reviewing the security of informatization projects; building and operating information protection systems and the Seoul Cyber Safety Center; formulating and coordinating personal data protection policies; building and operating personal data protection systems; overseeing assessments of personal data management levels and responses to leaks and exposures; conducting cyber attack response training and Cyber Security Diagnosis Day events; formulating and implementing education plans on information security and personal data protection; disseminating new technologies and technical standards related to information security and personal data protection; and coordinating joint cooperation with the central government and relevant agencies on cyber intrusion response and personal data protection.