Hanoi (VNA) 💖- Major General Nguyen Van Giang, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention under the Ministry of Public Security warned of cybercrime trends at the international conference and exhibition on cyber security on June 2.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), there were 695 cyberattacks on information systems that caused incidents in Vietnam in last month. As such, the number of cyberattack incidents in the first five months of the year was 4,639, 15% lower than in the same period last year, according to the Authority of Information Security (AIS). The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) under the AIS reported that in May, the centre discovered and guided people on how to handle 695 cyberattacks causing incidents to information systems, an increase of 39.6 percent over April and a decrease of 17.9 percent from May last year. In a May report about the implementation of Resolution 17 on e-government development, the MIC said one of the shortcomings was network safety in terms of cybersecurity.

Four trends of data breaches

According to Major General Giang, data owned by the Government, businesses and individuals is a valuable resource, which can bring significant value if it is used for its intended purposes and in compliance with the law. However, if it is unlawfully exploited or used to undermine national security and social order, the consequences are severe, he noted. Regarding trends of data breaches, Giang said cybercriminals attack and spread malicious code to steal and encrypt data and use those for fraud and appropriation purposes; debt collection, and ransom among others. Cybercriminals often target businesses through their supply chain, exploiting vulnerabilities in the network of suppliers and partners associated with the targeted organisation. Many businesses grant suppliers access to sensitive information and data, which, if compromised, can have a detrimental impact on the business itself and its customers. Giang also pointed out the trend of criminals attacking administrative server systems and cloud-based data servers; vulnerabilities on server operating system platforms, especially servers using Windows Server, Microsoft Exchange Mail server platform, protocols that support IoT connection of surveillance camera devices, smart home appliances such as TV and air conditioners.

Expanding international cooperation in cybersecurity

Regarding vulnerabilities and information security holes in the systems of state agencies, in the first four months of 2023, the NCSC’s system recorded 52,077 vulnerabilities. In April 2023 alone, the figure was over 39,300. Some flaws have been exploited by hackers to conduct APTs (advanced persistent threat). To protect the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals in cyberspace, Major General Giang said that the Ministry of Public Security has consulted with the Government to build a legal system such as the Law on Cyber Security, Decree No. 53/2022/ND-CP dated August 15, 2022 on detailing a number of articles of implementation of the Law on Cyber Security. The Ministry of Public Security has also fought fiercely against cyber criminals. Recently, the authorities have prosecuted five cases that recorded thousands of GB of data and billions of personal information being traded. In order to ensure network security and the rights and interests of individuals, organisations, and businesses, it is necessary to closely coordinate with partners providing security solutions. These include law enforcement agencies, specialised forces in cyber security, and information safety and security of the Ministry of Public Security and the MIC, in the inspection, assessment and appraisal of network security. Addressing the event, Tran Dang Khoa, deputy head of the MIC’s Authority of Information Security (AIS) recommended these three principles to ensure information security and safety./.