AI is reshaping the cybersecurity equation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly and gradually becoming a national strategic digital infrastructure. This evolution brings an increasing demand for the safety and security of AI systems, as well as the application of AI in cybersecurity protection activities.

To create a platform for discussion, networking, and sharing practical experience, while promoting collaborative initiatives in cybersecurity and AI, the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) held a workshop titled “Security in the Age of AI – Strategies for Shaping the Digital Future” in Hanoi on April 7.

Pham Tien Dung, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and Vice Chair of the NCA, emphasized that Vietnam is facing a major opportunity to break through in the digital era. However, to seize this opportunity, a solid cybersecurity foundation is essential, one where innovation goes hand in hand with security, and development is closely tied to risk control.

He noted that AI is not only a driver of socio-economic development but is also transforming how organizations operate and are managed. In the financial and banking sector, AI is being researched and applied in areas such as credit scoring, fraud detection, process automation, and customer support, thereby improving efficiency and expanding access to services.

“However, AI is also fundamentally changing cybersecurity risks and challenges. Attackers are leveraging AI to automate processes, expand scale operations, and increase the sophistication of their campaigns, making cyberspace more complex and posing greater challenges to traditional defense methods,” he said.

Sharing the same view, Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan stressed that AI is fundamentally transforming both the methods and nature of cyber threats. Instead of relying mainly on traditional techniques and tools, cybercriminals can now automate large-scale attacks with unprecedented sophistication.

Notably, cybercrime is shifting from isolated activities to highly organized, systematic, and industrialized models. AI enables attackers to significantly reduce preparation time, accelerate deployment, and expand the scope of attacks.

“This leads to a new reality: cyberspace is no longer a static environment but a ‘dynamic battlefield’ where attacks and defenses occur continuously at increasing speed,” he added.

Ruma Balasubramanian, President of Check Point Software Technologies for Asia-Pacific and Japan, remarked: “AI is reshaping both business innovation and cyber risk.”

Ensuring cybersecurity from the AI system design stage

Discussing response strategies, Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among government agencies, businesses, and international organizations. Building a collaborative ecosystem, featuring threat intelligence sharing and coordinated research, development, and deployment of advanced technologies, is essential.

According to Pham Tien Dung, in the banking and financial sector, AI applications should be assessed and managed using a risk-based approach.

AI systems that automatically execute financial transactions can directly impact the market and therefore require strict supervision, appropriate control limits, and timely intervention mechanisms.

AI systems that support or make credit decisions must meet high standards of transparency, fairness, and customer protection.

Meanwhile, AI systems used for fraud detection and prevention should be deployed in ways that enhance effectiveness while minimizing the risk of affecting legitimate transactions.

Traditional cybersecurity methods are increasingly showing limitations against next-generation threats. This calls for a dual approach: on one hand, AI must be designed, deployed, and operated in a safe, reliable, and controlled manner; on the other hand, AI should be leveraged as a tool to strengthen cyber defense capabilities.

“Building an AI ecosystem is not only about technology, but it also requires robust data governance, risk management, and ensuring cybersecurity from the system design phase throughout its entire lifecycle,” Dung emphasized.

Ruma Balasubramanian recommended that Vietnamese organizations and enterprises adopt AI security approaches focused on visibility, governance, and prevention across the entire AI ecosystem. She also introduced AI Defense Plane, a Check Point platform that provides comprehensive security for AI applications and infrastructure, offering multi-layered protection against risks such as prompt injection attacks, data leakage, and malicious behavior from AI agents.

Van Anh