The rise of mobile phone usage has led to a sharp increase in cyber attacks in Vietnam, as criminals are finding new ways to exploit these devices for their gain. As a result, the government is working to raise awareness of the dangers of these attacks and to improve its defenses against them.
According to the government, smartphones are a crucial element in the country’s digital transformation process, and as such, they are a prime target for criminals.
Recent reports from the Authority of Information Security revealed over 7,600 cyber-attacks in Vietnam in the first seven months of this year, with 4,703 being malicious code attacks. Furthermore, 760,000 Vietnamese IP addresses are in botnets, many of which are official IPs of state agencies and organizations.
These numbers could get in the way of the country’s rapid digital transformation, which has seen an increase in the use of mobile phones and other devices for everyday tasks, such as shopping, banking, and communication.
This month, the Vietnamese government called on citizens to be more cautious when using mobile phones and to be aware of the different methods that cybercriminals are using to target these devices. Government officials noted the importance of information security in the digital transformation process, as any data leak could cause serious problems for citizens and hamper the country’s development.
The acting director of Vietnam’s cybersecurity emergency response teams, Nguyen Duc Tuan, noted that it is necessary to promote security applications to protect Internet users in Vietnam. He also delivered guidance on proper behaviors in cyberspace.
Addressing the conference, Vice Chairman Tran Minh Triet stated that every province and municipality should create its strategic plan for information security. This way, they can better protect digital transformation initiatives and information systems capacity. To ensure greater safety, testing and piloting must be done to check whether important information systems can withstand significant incidents.
Chairman Ngo Vi Dong warned that any telecommunications or information technology failures (data loss, information leak) could become disasters and jeopardize state operations, eventually leading to social unrest. According to him, there needs to be a new strategy to ensure cyber security at all levels, from the government down to businesses and individuals.
Last month, the government issued a decision to approve the Strategy on National Cyber Security and Safety, which will serve as a legal foundation to ensure information security in the country’s digital transformation process.
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