Protecting personal data in the digital age.

In the digital age, personal data has become a vital resource but also a target for cybercriminals. The reality of data breaches highlights the urgent need for security, requiring changes ranging from user habits to the improvement of the national legal framework.

Users must proactively develop safe digital habits.

Vulnerabilities stemming from user behavior.

With the rapid development of the digital economy and digital society, personal data is increasingly being collected, stored, and processed on a large scale. However, the reality shows that millions of personal data records are leaked not only due to technical vulnerabilities, but also stemming from users' own unsafe habits in the digital environment.

According to cybersecurity experts, using weak passwords, granting excessive access permissions to applications, publicly sharing personal information on social media, or being careless about suspicious links inadvertently creates opportunities for cybercriminals to collect data. When personal information is leaked, the consequences extend beyond a single incident, becoming a source of data for various fraudulent activities.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Son, Head of the Research, Consulting, Technology Development and International Cooperation Department (National Cybersecurity Association), stated that personal data is currently collected from various sources and then aggregated by cybercriminals. When these fragmented data pieces are pieced together, malicious actors can build a fairly complete digital profile of an individual, thereby deploying highly personalized scam scenarios, making it very difficult for victims to distinguish between real and fake data.

From another perspective, cybersecurity expert Ngo Minh Hieu (Hieu PC) noted that many users are still not fully aware of the value of personal data. According to him, many people are willing to provide sensitive information in exchange for immediate convenience, without anticipating the long-term risks. Once data is leaked, controlling and recovering it is almost impossible to completely resolve.

Based on international experience, Olga Altukhova, a cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky, warns that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the human element effectively. Current phishing attacks are often designed using readily available personal data, creating a sense of familiarity and trustworthiness, making users more likely to follow fake instructions. This shows that data security is not just a technological challenge, but also a matter of awareness and digital behavior.

Completing the legal framework

Faced with increasingly complex personal data breaches, Vietnam is gradually improving its legal framework to protect citizens' privacy and information security. The Government's issuance of Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP dated April 17, 2024, on personal data protection, along with the Law on Personal Data Protection (effective from January 1, 2026), is considered a crucial step in building a safe digital environment.

These regulations clarify the principles for handling personal data, the responsibilities of organizations and businesses in collecting, storing, and using data, and strengthen individuals' rights to their own information. This is an important legal basis for preventing the widespread illegal buying, selling, and exploitation of personal data.

According to experts, the promulgation of the aforementioned legal documents demonstrates the State's strong commitment to protecting human rights in cyberspace, while also creating a foundation for the sustainable development of the digital economy. However, the law will only be truly effective when it is seriously enforced and accompanied by increased social awareness.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Son believes that personal data security cannot rely solely on state management agencies. Businesses need to consider data protection a mandatory requirement in their digital operations, invest systematically in security systems, and strictly comply with legal regulations. Simultaneously, users must proactively develop safe digital habits, from controlling application access to being vigilant against online scams.

From Kaspersky experts' perspective, combining modern security technologies such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and continuous security monitoring with user education will significantly reduce the risk of information leaks. In a context where data is increasingly becoming a valuable "digital asset," protecting personal data is not only a technical requirement but also a prerequisite for building digital trust.

In the digital age, protecting personal data is a shared responsibility of the State, businesses, and every user. The synergy between the legal framework, technology, and social awareness will determine the level of cybersecurity, thereby ensuring the legitimate rights of citizens and promoting sustainable digital transformation.

Thuy Lien

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/bao-mat-du-lieu-ca-nhan-thoi-so-hoa.html