Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam was named the nation facing thesecond-highest level of cyber security risk in Asia Pacific markets by aMicrosoft Asia report on February 9.
The Asianbranch of the American computer giant released regional findings from theSecurity Intelligence Report (SIR), Volume 21, a twice-yearly report thatprovides unique insights into the threat landscape to help organisations learnabout trend data in industry vulnerabilities, exploits, malware and web-basedattacks.
The latest report identified Asia Pacificmarkets--especially emerging markets--as among those facing the highest risk ofcyber security threats. Three out of the top five global spots for the rate ofmalware encounters in the region.
The new edition of the Microsoft SecurityIntelligence Report covers threat data from the first half of 2016, based onanalysis of threat information from over a billion systems worldwide. Alsoincluded are longer-term trend data and detailed threat profiles for over 100individual markets and regions.
Out of the top five locations across the globe most at risk of infection, twoare located in Southeast Asia: Vietnam and Indonesia. Both locations had amalware encounter rate of more than 45 percent in the second quarter of 2016,which is more than double the worldwide average of over 21 percent during thesame period.
Other top markets under malware threats include large developing markets andSoutheast Asia countries – Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, thePhilippines, Thailand and India – each with encounter rates of more than 30 percent.
However, markets in the region with higher levels of IT maturity such as Japan,Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore havedisplayed malware encounter rates that are below the worldwide average,highlighting the diverse cyber security landscape in the Asia Pacific.
Thereport showed that the top most encountered malicious software families in AsiaPacific include Gamarue, a worm which can give a malicious hacker control ofyour PC, steal information and change PC security settings; lodbak, atrojan that is usually installed on removable drives by Gamarue, and whichattempts to install Gamarue when the infected removable drive is connected to acomputer; and dynamer, a trojan which can steal personal information, downloadmore malware or give hackers access to computers.-VNA
The Institute for Cyber Security Research and Training (CSO) has launched a training system for cyber security simulations, the first of its kind in Vietnam.
Various activities will be held under the theme “new era of cyber security” in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from November 15 to December 5 as part of Vietnam Information Security Day.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Illustrative image (Source: internet) 
