Information security in the digital age

Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation, affirms the strong determination of the Party and the State in building a new development foundation for the country.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Deputy Minister of National Defense, visits the exhibition of initiatives at the Party Congress of the Government Cipher Committee for the 2025-2030 term. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

In that process, along with the core forces participating in the Central Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, the cryptography force plays a particularly important role.

The important role of cryptography forces

We met Comrade Le Quang Tung, Deputy Director of the Cryptography Technical and Professional Management Department, on the occasion of the Cryptography Technical Academy, which trains core human resources for the country's cryptography and information security fields, celebrating its 50th anniversary (April 15, 1976 - April 15, 2026).

According to Mr. Tung, over 80 years of development and growth (1945-2026), the cryptographic force has directly participated in protecting the national digital infrastructure in many important areas, including key areas such as protecting confidential information of the Party and State, and information on direction, command, and operation of Party and State leaders at all levels from the central to local levels using cryptographic codes; deploying digital signature service systems including public and specialized digital signatures for official use; civilian cryptography; and cybersecurity monitoring... Participation in many fields has increasingly affirmed the core role of the cryptographic force in ensuring digital trust, contributing to promoting the safe and sustainable national digital transformation process.

The Government Cipher Committee participates in the working group assisting the Central Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation; at the same time, in implementing Resolution No. 57, the Government Cipher Committee is assigned many tasks, including those related to the deployment of two-tiered local government, ensuring the security of confidential documents and data from the central government to 3,321 communes and wards... Currently, the two-tiered local government largely operates on an electronic platform, so all electronic transactions, management decisions, and data streams connecting from the central government to the grassroots level need to be authenticated to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of state secret information and data.

The practical implementation of national-scale digital transformation programs in recent years has further highlighted the role of cryptography, such as the implementation of Project 06 on the development of population data applications, electronic identification and authentication, and Project 175 on the construction of a national data center. These are important programs aimed at forming the country's digital data infrastructure, creating a foundation for online public services, e-commerce, digital finance, and many other essential fields.

Furthermore, in response to the need to protect state secrets, safeguard national sovereignty, and maintain the Party's leadership role in the new context, the Party Central Committee issued Directive No. 57-CT/TW on December 31, 2025, on strengthening cybersecurity, information security, and data security within the political system. This demonstrates the strategic vision and special attention of the Party to the task of protecting national data security in the digital age.

In the field of innovation, according to Mr. Tung, the Central Committee has assigned the Government Cipher Committee tasks related to advanced cryptography and quantum-resistant cryptography. At the working session on May 21st with the Standing Committee of the Central Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed a unified understanding that quantum technology is a national strategic issue, not just a matter of pure scientific research; placing the development of quantum technology within the overall implementation of Resolution No. 57 and the national development strategy in the new era, linked to national security, national data, semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence (AI)... Therefore, the Government Cipher Committee will soon research and submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation a plan for the development of quantum-resistant cryptography.

According to Deputy Director of the Party-Government Cryptography Department Nguyen Thanh Tung, as data becomes a "new national resource," the demand for security and confidentiality is unprecedentedly high. "Electronic identification and authentication systems and data security must ensure very high reliability. Any vulnerability could directly affect the leadership and management of Party and State agencies, the rights of tens of millions of citizens, and the operation of the digital economy," he said. Therefore, if digital infrastructure is the "backbone" of digital transformation, then security is the "shield" protecting the operation of the entire system. Every digital platform built, every database created, needs to be designed with security requirements in mind from the outset.

Determined to improve capabilities and complete tasks.

In the context of cyberspace becoming a complex and competitive environment, Deputy Director of the Political and Organizational Department Nguyen Van Toan noted that the first and biggest challenge for the cryptography force is the rapid development of AI, cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things; the future development of quantum computing will significantly impact current cryptographic algorithms. The second challenge is the need for high-quality human resources, requiring the development of a workforce that is both politically sound and professionally competent, considering this a long-term, strategic task. The third factor is the time pressure as the national digital transformation is being implemented rapidly, widely, and synchronously across all sectors. Every new information system and every new database needs to be protected from the design stage. This requires the cryptography force to participate early and remotely, ensuring that information security principles are always one step ahead.

In response to these new demands, Mr. Toan stated that, besides Vietnam having comprehensive state security and cybersecurity mechanisms and policies compared to other countries, the key issue is how to implement them effectively. The Government Cipher Committee aims to continue improving research capabilities and mastering cryptographic technology, notably by developing and publishing the Vietnamese Block Code (MKV) algorithm; designing, manufacturing, and producing various types of cryptographic, security, and information safety products with high scientific and technological content; developing security solutions to protect critical information systems of the Party and the State; and strengthening coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities in ensuring information security for digital platforms.

Simultaneously, the training and development of human resources in cryptography and information security continues to be emphasized; awareness of information security and privacy in agencies, organizations, and society as a whole needs to be raised. Because security is not only the responsibility of specialized forces but also the shared responsibility of the entire system…

Leaving the campus of the Cryptography Technical Academy as the 50th anniversary celebration concluded, many stories about the silent work of the cryptography force still lingered in our minds. The challenges in technology, human resources, and time, though significant, also served as motivation for the cryptography force to continue innovating, improving capabilities, and successfully fulfilling assigned tasks, contributing to the firm protection of national sovereignty in cyberspace and creating a safe and reliable foundation for the sustainable development of the country in the digital age.

NGOC DINH-MANH HAO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/bao-mat-thong-tin-trong-ky-nguyen-so-post964259.html