Rising cyberattacks globally

In 2025, the global cybersecurity landscape is shaped by a sharp increase in attacks, the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) with geopolitical tensions, and a more volatile and complex risk environment than in prior years.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Quang Dieu, Director of the Centre for Technology and Digital Transformation at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, cyberattacks are increasingly targeting public institutions and state management systems. Attack groups are leveraging AI to conduct misinformation campaigns and deploy malicious software capable of global-scale disruption, signaling the rise of a new era of cyber ưars.

For example, since July 2024, the RedNovember group has struck governments, defence, and aerospace sectors across Asia, Europe, and other regions. The Salt Typhoon group has shifted focus to IT service providers, causing significant harm to multiple nations. Malaysia was once asked to “ransom” its critical data for Ú$10 million. In September 2025, Lotte Card, one of the top five card companies in the Republic of Korea, suffered a data breach affecting over 3 million credit cards, exposing sensitive details such as card numbers, expiration dates, security codes, citizen registration numbers, and other associated information, resulting in serious harm to users.

Strong digital transformation poses risk to cyber security

In Vietnam, Dr. Dieu notes, the country is accelerating digital transformation, shifting from traditional media toward the digital realm and embracing AI more fully. According to the UN’s 2024 e‑Government Development Index (EGDI), Vietnam ranked 71st out of 193 countries, up 15 places from 2022, and for the first time reaching the “very high” category of e‑government.

Last year also saw the digital economy account for 18.3% of national GDP, growing by 20% compared to 2023. The e‑commerce market grew 18%, ranking third fastest in Southeast Asia. The digital goods merchandise value (GMV) hit US$6 billion, the highest growth rate in the region (14%).

Vietnam has been recognised among the top 10 fastest growing e‑commerce countries globally. Its fiber‑optic coverage reached 85% of households, while mobile broadband subscriptions stood at 94 per 100 people, a 10% increase over 2023. The 5G service was commercially launched in October 2024.

These indicators show a robust shift from traditional media to the digital space, with national data infrastructure and platforms under development, placing Vietnam among the countries with the fastest growth in the digital economy and transformation, with AI as a foundational driver.

However, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dieu warns that Vietnam’s information security and cybersecurity environment is under serious pressure in this digital shift, especially due to large-scale data leaks and the rise of ever more sophisticated cyberattacks.

In 2024 alone, approximately 14.5 million accounts in Vietnam were leaked, comprising 12% of global incidents. Over 66% of Internet users in Vietnam had personal data misused during 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, 412 data breach incidents were recorded, with 3.4 billion pieces of information leaked; hackers demanded ransom exceeding US$1 million, four times higher than the same period in 2024.

According to the former Ministry of Information and Communications (now the Ministry of Science and Technology), nearly 46.15% of Vietnamese agencies and enterprises reported at least one cyberattack in 2024. Ransomware has encrypted up to 10 terabytes of data, inflicting an estimated US$11 million in damage. The finance and banking sectors are top targets, accounting for 71% of attacks. Major disruptions have struck firms like VNDIRECT, PVOIL, and Vietnam Post.

In 2025, the data breach at the Credit Information Centre (CIC) of the State bank of Vietnam stood out as one of the most severe, with over 160 million credit-related records at risk. The stolen data was publicly sold for US$175,000 on hacker forums, revealing critical vulnerabilities in national systems and raising serious concerns over financial risks, social order, and public trust in the digital ecosystem.

In the context of Vietnam’s digital transformation and AI adoption, the challenge of cybersecurity becomes acute, requiring a comprehensive strategy for data protection and stronger legal frameworks, according to Accoc. Prof. Dr. Dieu.

A pressing need for large-scale investment

Legally, the expert says, putting the Personal Data Protection Law into practice as soon as possible is essential to define clear responsibilities for agencies and organisations. At the same time, major breaches like the CIC incident sound a warning that security standards need strengthening in critical information systems, especially in finance, banking, health, and education that are frequently targeted and vital to national interests.

Current cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated through AI, as criminals deploy AI‑based phishing campaigns and counterfeit websites. Such fake sites and scams have multiplied three to four times in recent years, amplifying risks for users and businesses alike.

To respond effectively, agencies and enterprises must invest in proactive defence strategies and deploy Security Operation Centres (SOCs) capable of immediate threat detection and response.

Efforts to bolster cybersecurity must also address human resources and security culture. Vietnam faces a shortage of high‑quality professionals in cybersecurity, AI, and big data. Despite significant advances in digital transformation, cybersecurity remains the most critical bottleneck, necessitating determined, coordinated investment and action from the government, private sector, and individuals in the years ahead, says the expert.

CyberCon Asia 2025 tackles cybersecurity threats in Da Nang

VOV.VN - More than 500 Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises gathered in the central coastal city of Da Nang on September 13–14 for CyberCon Asia 2025, a major international cybersecurity conference to seek solutions for a safer digital future.