Personal data protection emerges as a shield for national cybersecurity and safety

Personal data faces growing risks of infringement

Emphasising the urgency of personal data protection, Associate Professor and Dr Vu Trong Lam, director and editor-in-chief of the Truth National Political Publishing House, said at the launch of the book Personal Data in Cyberspace: Issues Arising in a New Era of Development that protecting personal data remains a major challenge in practice.

“From everyday actions such as clicking on links, sharing articles and searching for information to using online services and conducting digital transactions, users face the risk of losing control over their personal information, posing direct threats to their finances, privacy and identity,” he analysed.

In Vietnam, the legal framework for protecting personal data in the digital environment has largely taken shape, encompassing the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity, the Law on Personal Data Protection, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and the Government’s Decree No. 330/2026/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the fields of cybersecurity and personal data protection.

However, a robust legal framework is only a necessary condition. To strengthen data protection in the new era, Vietnam needs a comprehensive approach that combines stringent legal safeguards, autonomous technological capabilities and a strong sense of individual responsibility.

“The digital era requires everyone not only to be proficient in using technology, but, more importantly, to strengthen their ability to protect personal data in cyberspace. This is a shield against risks such as online scams, asset appropriation and the exposure of personal information,” Lam stressed.

Building a safe and humane cyberspace

Building on the importance of proactively preventing risks, Senior Lieutenant General and Professor Nguyen Van Thanh, former Deputy Minister of Public Security and former Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, noted that as Vietnam enters a new era of development, with the goal of becoming a developed, strong and civilised nation by 2030 and looking towards 2045, the need to protect privacy and individual rights under the law has become more pressing than ever.

He explained that building a safe and humane cyberspace is an essential requirement for sustainable development. This is not the sole responsibility of specialised forces, but a shared duty of society as a whole. Proactively researching and implementing measures to protect both national digital resources and individuals’ data is therefore a key prerequisite for the new stage of development.

Examining the far-reaching consequences of personal data leaks, Lieutenant General and Associate Professor Trinh Ngoc Quyen, director of the People’s Police Political Academy, said that in the digital era, personal data is no longer solely an individual concern, but is closely linked to businesses and the State. Without proper recognition and protection, personal information could easily be stolen and exploited by malicious actors for unlawful purposes.

According to Quyen, data breaches can trigger a harmful chain reaction at multiple levels. For individuals, the risks include fraud, privacy violations and reputational damage. For businesses, data leaks can disrupt operations, undermine credibility and directly affect sustainable development. For the State, large-scale data leaks pose direct threats to public security and order, as well as national security.

From a technical and technological security perspective, Colonel and Dr Pham Thi Thuy Hang, deputy director of the Academy of Security Engineering and Technology, pointed out that amid rapid technological advances, personal data has become one of the most valuable assets and a prime target for cybersecurity threats.

In practice, cyberattacks, online scams and the unlawful collection of data are becoming increasingly complex. Users face the risk of losing control over their personal information, with potentially serious consequences for their finances, privacy and identity when sharing information on social media, using online services or conducting everyday transactions.

“Personal data protection has become an urgent issue for both individuals and businesses managing large volumes of information. It is no longer simply a matter of protecting privacy, but has become a key factor in ensuring national cybersecurity and safety,” Hang affirmed.

Personal data protection in the digital era is therefore a core issue closely linked to national cybersecurity and safety. A coordinated combination of a robust legal framework, autonomous technological capabilities and sound judgement among citizens forms a solid foundation for protection.

Only when individuals actively turn their digital knowledge into a shield to protect themselves can society work together to build a safe, humane and sustainable cyberspace in Vietnam.

HCM City police warns off online scams after personal data leak

The Ho Chi Minh City Police has issued a warning to locals to watch out for online scams, following a cybersecurity breach at the National Credit Information Center (CIC) on September 11.