General Secretary Orders Public Security Ministry to Speed Up National Cyber Defense System

Cybersecurity facing new challenges
While acknowledging progress made, the General Secretary also pointed out serious shortcomings: outdated management practices, overlapping responsibilities, and weak coordination. He highlighted two major challenges: cyberattacks are no longer small-scale or spontaneous but have become industrialized, organized campaigns often powered by artificial intelligence; meanwhile, hostile forces and criminals increasingly exploit cyberspace to undermine national security, spread harmful content, and incite anti-state activities.

According to him, cybersecurity, information protection, and data safety are strategic tasks, directly tied to sustainable socio-economic development and the early safeguarding of national sovereignty. His directive was clear: “prevention must come first, act in advance, and never be caught off guard.”

Closing loopholes and strengthening legislation
The General Secretary ordered all agencies to treat critical information systems and national databases on population, land, finance, health, education, insurance, and justice as strategic assets that must be absolutely secured. He stressed that in 2025, all legal bottlenecks in cybersecurity and information protection must be resolved, including revising the Cybersecurity Law and the Law on Protection of State Secrets.

At the same time, he instructed that basic knowledge and skills on cybersecurity be integrated into general education, vocational training, and universities to instill safe internet practices from an early age.

Building the national cyber defense system
All government bodies managing databases and IT systems must conduct a comprehensive cybersecurity and data safety assessment, and report findings to the Ministry of Public Security and the Government Cipher Committee by November. These will serve as the basis for nationwide security measures.

The General Secretary also tasked the Ministry of Public Security with proposing the restructuring of the National Cybersecurity and Safety Steering Committee and its subcommittees in ministries, sectors, and localities. Crucially, the ministry must fast-track the design and deployment of the national cyber defense system, which will serve as an outer security shield for critical information systems and internet resources of Vietnam’s government bodies and enterprises. The technical design must be completed within November.