Most state agencies get passing grade in cyber security

Hoang Minh Tien, deputy director of the Authority of Information Security under the Ministry of Information and Communications, said none of the 90 surveyed ministries and departments received the highest cyber security rating (Grade A), or the lowest (Grade E). The majority, 70 percent, were rated grade C, while just 17 percent were rated grade B, and the remaining at grade D.

Specifically, the central ministries and departments such as the Vietnam Social Security, Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Vietnam and Government Office were classified as grade B in terms of cyber security. As many as 19 of the 27 central ministries and departments, such as the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, were rated grade C, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs were rated grade D.

There were 11 cities and provinces classified as grade B, including Da Nang, Bac Ninh, Lam Dong, Can Tho, Dong Nai, Lao Cai, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Thai Binh, Thua Thien Hue and Vinh Phuc. Some 44 localities were rated grade C, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while the remaining at grade D.

Most of these organizations admitted they do not have a unit in charge of cyber security and have not engaged external experts and therefore do not know how to deal with any breach of their cyber security. Up to 30 percent of surveyed agencies said their directors had not paid attention to cyber safety.

In the wake of this survey, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has assigned the Ministry of Information and Communications to compile instructions about guaranteeing cyber security, which emphasize the role of top officials. Under the instructions, leaders bear responsibility for cyber security in their organizations. Assessment and risk management must be carried out regularly, too.

The Authority of Information Security and the Vietnam Information Security Association, together with their partners, have already formed an alliance to handle malicious code and prevent network attacks.

Tien said this alliance is of great significance in bringing together internet infrastructure providers to share information and actions, and accompanying agencies and organizations to ensure fast and sustainable digital transformation.