Data security in the digital age

In the digital age, data is not only the lifeblood of the economy but also the heart of national security. However, this flow is under threat from cyberattacks, ransomware, data leaks, etc., which not only harm individuals and organizations but also threaten national security.

Cybercriminals are shifting to exploiting the value of data.

Cybercriminals are exploiting AI technology to launch cyberattacks and defraud customers. Photo: NCA

According to experts, data breaches are becoming increasingly complex, no longer limited to technical aspects, but transforming into organized, targeted, and strategic activities.

According to information from the Hanoi City Police, the suspects not only stole data... but also organized the collection, standardization, and analysis of data, thereby serving large-scale criminal activities such as fraud, money laundering, and organizing cross-border gambling.

In early 2026, Hanoi City Police dismantled a group illegally collecting personal data to open and sell approximately 10,000 bank accounts and 10,000 Momo wallet accounts. These accounts were used as intermediaries for payments in cross-border gambling rings, generating 1,100-1,500 billion VND per month. This was no longer a typical scam but an organized data exploitation operation serving large-scale crime. In 2025, Hanoi City Police received and processed over 1,200 cases related to high-tech crimes, most of which involved personal, organizational, and business data.

According to the police, cyberspace also sees the emergence of many groups using similar tools to provide data theft "services." Criminals have shifted from "doing it themselves" to "selling hacking services."

According to experts, the world is creating a robust legal framework for governing digital resources. For example, the European Union (EU) has established a global gold standard to protect citizens' right to self-determination; China asserts its sovereignty through strict data security regulations; and countries like the UK and Singapore are building data protection regulations based on transparency…

Investigations and prosecutions have shown that criminals have shifted from "exploiting system vulnerabilities" to "exploiting the value of data." This fundamental change significantly increases the threat to national security. Beyond economic losses, data breaches also pose a risk of being used to manipulate information, disrupt social perceptions, and undermine public trust.

Data protection - How?

Cybercrime groups will increasingly apply Deepfake technology to perpetrate online scams. Photo: NCA

Clearly, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is generating massive data flows. Data has become the lifeblood of the digital economy, digital society, and digital government, unlocking enormous development potential. But along with the opportunities come formidable challenges, with over 2 million cyberattacks annually, making data a prime target for AI criminals and ransomware.

Therefore, experts suggest that, first and foremost, it is necessary to establish digital sovereignty and manage risks based on a hierarchical structure. This includes the State's supreme property rights over digital resources, namely data. Along with this, a four-tiered risk management model is needed to focus resources on absolutely protecting core data. Furthermore, security must be ensured throughout the entire data lifecycle, from creation, storage, transfer, sharing, processing, to data destruction.

Along with that, it is necessary to implement AI governance and algorithm transparency. In particular, the State needs to establish legal authority in controlling training data, labeling AI content, and inspecting algorithms as ways to protect ideological security, national cultural identity, and clean up the digital space from cross-border waves of fake news, contributing to building a safe and civilized cyberspace.

The task of facilitating data flow and international integration is considered one of the crucial steps. Therefore, building a reliable data space infrastructure helps Vietnamese data securely connect with the international community, transforming data into economic assets while preserving national digital sovereignty…

In ensuring data security, the specialized cybersecurity force acts as a steel shield, guarding the peace of the digital space day and night, determined to prevent national data resources from falling into the wrong hands.

To accomplish these tasks, first and foremost, authorities must continue to refine the legal framework, especially regulations related to data security – this is not only an urgent requirement to improve the legal system, but also a strategic weapon for Vietnam to assert its sovereignty, protect national interests, and create a safe environment for the digital economy to take off.

Data is no longer just dry information files; it has truly become a new resource, the lifeblood driving digital transformation and shaping the future. Faced with unprecedented challenges to national digital security, safety, and sovereignty, ensuring data security is not just a technical issue but has become a vital strategic task for the stability and development of each nation.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/an-ninh-du-lieu-trong-ky-nguyen-so-763308.html