The interface of DP is similar to CTA so that a user can easily adapt. In this new system, a number of new features have been added:

Desktop protection: For accessing networked terminal, a user is required to login. When a terminal is idle for 10 minutes, screen saver lock will be turned on automatically for protecting the terminal from being used by others. Other than exceptional cases (e.g. shared terminal in Report Room), all users can only login at one terminal at a time.

Single Sign-On: It manages to learn passwords of applications such as CTA, PEN and Internet access password upon first time logon and then it would sign-on these applications automatically when pressing the button from the DP's Application Selection Menu (ASM). But if a user accesses secure Internet sites, the user is required to input login information again.

Password Administration: A user can preset three or more questions and answers. These questions will be randomly prompted when a user forgets his password and needs to reset by using "Forget Password" function at a login prompt.

Pilot Rollout of DP was completed in February this year, and feedback from users is mostly positive. "Security on desktop is enforced and login information on each terminal is traceable," said Senior Inspector Wong Shing-wah from Regional Intelligence Unit of New Territories North.

To dovetail with DP rollout, the RAM of all Force-wide networked Windows XP terminals would be upgraded to over 1 GB. For those old terminals with Windows NT installed, they will be replaced with Windows XP terminals before the end of this year.

While the rollout of DP will enhance the desktop and network security of the IT applications and services in the Force, ISW has submitted a Resource Allocation Exercise bid to set up a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the Force which will further strengthen the authentication and access control for various IT applications and services with the DP.

Mass Rollout of DP has started since April and will be completed in July this year. In April and May, three briefing sessions were conducted for System Security Managers (SSM(A)) . At the briefing, the new role of DPADMIN was introduced and demonstrated to all SSM(A). The new features were highlighted and the rollout flow was shown so as to smoothen the rollout process. At the Q&A session, a number of SSM(A)'s concerns were raised and addressed accordingly. All materials presented at the briefing were uploaded to the DP theme page on POINT (http://point.hpf.gov.hk:8088/english/isw/itb/dp/ssoindex.htm).

On the DP theme page are also DP User Guide, Demonstration on first time logon and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Users can contact DP hotline 2860-6031 (during office hours) or ICNMC 2860-3444 when required.