Nguyen Thanh Hung, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, delivers speech at the ninth annual Vietnam Information Security Day in Hanoi

Speaking at the "New era of information security” seminar held to mark the ninth annual Vietnam Information Security Day in Hanoi on December 2, Hung said the ministry has always supported associations and businesses to build a safe and healthy information society.

Information security globally has seen complicated changes as many Internet of Things (IoT) devices were attacked on a large scale, causing serious problems, he said, adding that there is no international pact or law on network security.

In Vietnam, a legal framework on network security is nearly completed. After the law on network security was approved by the National Assembly, the Government promulgated Decree 02 guiding the implementation of the law. The ministry has also cooperated with relevant ministries and agencies to implement a plan to ensure information security under Decision No 898/QD-TTg dated May 27, 2016.

“Information security is expected to experience more complicated changes in the upcoming time. The situation is also seen in Vietnam. This is why State agencies, enterprises, organisations and individuals in the ICT sector should quickly seek suitable solutions to respond to the issue,” he said.

The Vietnam Information Security Association also announced the Vietnam Information Security 2016 Index at the event. For the first time, the index reached 59.9 percent in 2016, increasing 13.5 percent from last year.

Vu Quoc Khanh from VNISA said this was the ninth year the association announced the survey on information security in organisations and businesses and the fourth year for the index.

The survey on 692 firms and organisations from September to November in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City showed that the indices in 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 47.4 percent, 39 percent and 37.3 percent respectively.

“The Information Security 2016 Index has seen sustainable growth. This has shown increasing awareness of investment for information security among organisations and companies,” Khanh said.

Bui Nguyen Dung, senior manager, cyber security services, IT risks and assurance at EY Vietnam, said businesses could benefit by complying with information security regulations. They could develop trust and confidence with customers and stakeholders while controlling risks and impacts. They could also strengthen relationships with regulators.

"Cyber security is a business risk. Managing cyber security requires a risk-based and enterprise-wide approach. The first step in managing cyber security risk is understanding your current state. Cyber security is the responsibility of everyone in organisations," he said.-VNA