Vietnam takes measures to prevent ransomware, AI-powered attacks
The rapid evolution of technology has brought a dark side: increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks which not only target individual users but also cripple organisations and corporations, causing immense and often difficult-to-quantify damage.
Hanoi (VNA) - The rapid evolution of technology has brought a dark side: increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks which not only target individual users but also cripple organisatio🔯ns and corporations, causing immense and often difficult-to-quantify damage.
The scale of the problem is staggering. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime-caused losses reached 8 trillion USD in 2023, equivalent to over 250,000 USD stolen every second. This alarming figure is projected to balloon to 10.5 trillion USD by 2025.
Vietnam is not immune. The Vietnam Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) reported 13,900 cyberattacks on government agencies, organisations and enterprises in 2023 alone. Online fraud incidents soared to nearly 16,000, resulting in losses exceeding 390 trillion VND (16.25 billion USD), equivalent to 3.6% of Vietnam's GDP.
The situation is worsening. Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro revealed a 50% increase in ransomware attacks in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Hackers are primarily targeting personal data and sensitive commercial information, using them as bargaining chips for extortion.
Le Minh Nghia, a cybersecurity consultant at Trend Micro, painted a concerning picture. He warned that hackers are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and accelerate ransomware attacks. This allows them to create more potent and effective malicious codes compared to traditional email scams.
He further highlighted the looming threat posed by the integration of AI with the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This convergence, he believed, will escalate cybercriminals' attack capabilities in the future.
In response to this growing threat, the Authority of Information Security under the Ministry of Information and Communications has issued nationwide guidelines urging ministries, agencies, localities and businesses to adopt stricter information security measures and ensure swift recovery from potential incidents.
The focus is placed on regularly reviewing and addressing security weaknesses in information systems, strengthening the monitoring and management of critical accounts and system administrator privileges, and using two-factor authentication or privileged account management solutions to prevent unauthorised access and mitigate damage if passwords are compromised./.
The Vietnam Post Corporation (Vietnam Post)’s IT system was breached by ransomware at 3:10 am on June 4, leaving direct impact on the operations of postal and delivery services, the company has reported.
The Vietnam ICT Press Club and the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) organised a seminar on ransomware prevention and control in Hanoi on April 5.
The Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) has warned that GandCrab ransomware affiliates which had been spreading globally over the past year had updated to version 5.2 and the team was taking measures to disconnect with GandCrab server to avoid damages.
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.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
