Seven outside experts to review policies, emerging threats as retailer seeks to restore trust

From left: Coupang Senior Director Lee Sung-jin, Ahn Jeong-ho, an attorney at Shin & Kim, Yang Je-yul, a professor at Kyung Hee University, Kang Eu-mene, a senior adviser at Kim & Chang, Coupang Chief Information Security Officer Brett Matthes, Chang Hang-bae, a professor at ChungAng University, Coupang Senior Director Park Min-ha, and Kim Hyun-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University of Science & Technology, pose for a photo at the launch ceremony of Coupang's information security advisory committee in Seoul on Tuesday. (Coupang)
From left: Coupang Senior Director Lee Sung-jin, Ahn Jeong-ho, an attorney at Shin & Kim, Yang Je-yul, a professor at Kyung Hee University, Kang Eu-mene, a senior adviser at Kim & Chang, Coupang Chief Information Security Officer Brett Matthes, Chang Hang-bae, a professor at ChungAng University, Coupang Senior Director Park Min-ha, and Kim Hyun-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University of Science & Technology, pose for a photo at the launch ceremony of Coupang's information security advisory committee in Seoul on Tuesday. (Coupang)

Coupang has formed an external information security advisory committee as it seeks to rebuild public trust and overhaul its defenses following last year’s data breach that affected more than 33 million users.

According to Coupang on Tuesday, the newly launched committee is intended to provide objective assessments of the company’s internal security policies and help raise safeguards for customer information.

Seven external professionals specializing in information security, law, management and information technology will serve on the panel. Coupang said their expertise would help establish a more independent and professional system for reviewing its security measures.

The committee will be co-chaired by Heo Sung-wook, chair of the Korea Chief Privacy Officers' Forum, and Brett Matthes, Coupang’s chief information security officer.

Heo is a digital information and communications technology policy expert who previously served as director general of the Network Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT and president of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency.

The other committee members are Kang Eu-mene, an adviser at Kim & Chang; Kwak Jin, a professor at Ajou University; Kim Hyun-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology; Ahn Jeong-ho, an attorney at Shin & Kim; Yang Je-yul, a professor at Kyung Hee University; and Chang Hang-bae, a professor at ChungAng University.

The committee held its inaugural meeting earlier in the day and plans to convene regularly every quarter. Its agenda will include reviewing changes in laws and regulations, monitoring emerging security threats and advising Coupang on its broader security policies and outstanding issues.

Coupang said it would incorporate the committee’s recommendations into its internal security policies and operational processes as it works to establish security standards on par with the industry’s highest levels.

The company said it briefed the newly appointed members on its efforts to protect customer data and pledged to maintain active communication with the panel going forward.

"Coupang will continue to improve its security framework by actively embracing the outstanding experience and knowledge of leading experts," a Coupang official said. "We will make every effort to achieve a level of security that surpasses global standards."

Coupang came under fire in November last year when it announced the data breach of over 33 million users' personal information.


hwkan@heraldcorp.com