The National Assembly reviewed reports on the draft Law on State Secret Protection and Law on Cyber Security during its fourth session in Hanoi on October 25. 

Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen To Lam

Speaking at the event, Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen To Lam said more than 840 leaks of State secrets have been discovered since 2001, including many confidential documents regarding the Party and State’s external policy and the settlement of border and island disputes. 

This was partly attributable to inconsistent legal regulations and weak deterrents, he said.

Several deputies agreed with the draft’s proposal for State secret protection timelines, saying that secrets involving national security and interests should be kept for 50-60 years. 

Others proposed revising Clause 1, Article 23 on the disposal of State secrets to ensure feasibility. 

Lam said amid the fourth industrial revolution and global integration, cyber space has become an ideal environment for plotters to attempt to sabotage the country’s political regime. 

Chairman of the NA Committee for National Defence and Security Vo Trong Viet stressed the need to issue the Law on Cyber Security to protect national security and reflect Vietnam’s responsibility in joining global efforts to counter terrorism. 

He called for regulations on fighting cyber espionage and specifying responsibilities of ministries and agencies in the work.-VNA