Hanoi Convention: Symbol of peace and shared responsibility in the digital age

“Cybercrime has become a global problem and is growing faster than ever. Reports from many reputable and trustworthy organizations in the world in 2025 have shown that the damage caused by cybercrime is huge.”

This was shared by Associate Professor-PhD Pham Duc Son, member of the Vietnam-Australia Association of Intellectuals and Experts (VASEA), in an interview with VNA reporters in Australia on the occasion of the signing ceremony of the "United Nations Convention against Cybercrime" with the theme "Fighting Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Looking Towards the Future" which will take place in Hanoi on October 25-26.

The importance of the Hanoi Convention

Associate Professor-PhD Pham Duc Son is currently working at the Faculty of Electrical, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at Curtin University (Australia), and is also the President of the IEEE Computer Society branch in Western Australia.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son said that according to the “Global Cybersecurity Outlook Report 2025” of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the total loss caused by online fraud globally exceeded 1,000 billion USD last year, in which some countries suffered losses of more than 3% of GDP due to cybercrime.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported losses of up to $12.5 billion due to cybercrime in the US in 2023. Meanwhile, the Cost of a Data Breach 2025 report by technology corporation IBM showed that the average damage caused by each data breach has reached $4.44 million worldwide.

Cybercriminals are becoming more professional, operating like businesses through “cybercrime as a service” models, and increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate fraud, create deepfakes, and steal data on a large scale.

International cooperation: Key to fighting cybercrime

Data ransomware remains one of the most damaging threats, crippling hospitals, transport systems and many essential services globally.

In addition to the financial losses, the disruptions to operations, damage to reputation and loss of public confidence are all serious. Cybercrime is no longer just a technical problem, but an economic and national security problem that affects every sector.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Duc Son, the rapid “weaponization” of AI is changing the entire risk landscape. As human dependence on digital systems deepens, the need to strengthen cybersecurity through practical actions and cooperation becomes more urgent than ever.

The message from all the major 2025 reports is clear: building resilience to cybercrime is a shared responsibility. Governments, businesses and individuals must shore up their defences and build trust in the digital world.

Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of international cooperation in fighting cybercrime, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son said that international cooperation is essential because cybercrime is a borderless problem.

Criminals often exploit jurisdictional gaps, operating from one country but targeting victims in another. Increased cooperation helps close these gaps by allowing law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and prosecute criminals who may previously have hidden behind national boundaries.

International cooperation also helps strengthen collective resilience. When countries share information about new threats, attack patterns, and best practices, they can respond more quickly and prevent incidents from spreading globally.

For example, coordinated operations through Interpol or Europol have taken down several large ransomware groups.

Another benefit is capacity building. Not all countries have the same level of technical or legal expertise, so international partnerships help build capacity through joint training, resource sharing, and expert advice. This strengthens the global cyber defense ecosystem as a whole.

However, according to Associate Professor-PhD Pham Duc Son, the biggest challenge lies in the differences in laws and political systems.

Determining what constitutes a cybercrime, how electronic evidence is handled, and privacy protections can vary widely from country to country. These differences make joint investigations and extraditions complex and time-consuming.

Trust is also a barrier. Sharing intelligence often requires revealing sensitive data about national systems, methods or capabilities—something not all governments are willing to do. Geopolitical tensions can also limit the extent to which countries can openly cooperate.

Finally, coordination requires resources. Smaller countries may lack the manpower or funding to sustain long-term cooperation, and coordination among multiple agencies across borders can slow response in emergencies.

Overall, Associate Professor-PhD Pham Duc Son said that international cooperation is inevitable because cybercrime is transnational, but also complicated due to sovereignty, legal and political constraints.

The most effective approach is to combine threat intelligence sharing, capacity building programmes and harmonised legal frameworks, such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, while respecting national laws and data privacy rights.

Cybercrime has become a global problem and is growing faster than ever. (Photo: VNA)

Having the opportunity to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son further realized the importance of this organization in coordinating global efforts to respond to common challenges, and cybercrime is one of the most urgent challenges today.

Vietnam: Presiding and positioning international role

In the context of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime with the theme "Combating Cybercrime - Sharing Responsibility - Looking to the Future" which will take place in Hanoi on October 25-26, Associate Professor - Doctor Pham Duc Son commented that the Convention is a vivid demonstration of that spirit of multilateral cooperation.

This is the first global legal framework coordinated by the United Nations to prevent, investigate and prosecute cross-border cybercrime – a significant milestone that opens a new chapter for international digital security.

The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime initiated by the Council of Europe has demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in harmonizing laws and strengthening investigative capacities, especially in the European region.

The Hanoi Convention builds on that success and extends it to the global stage, creating a universal and comprehensive platform for cooperation where all countries, regardless of their level of development, can cooperate, share intelligence and agree on legal mechanisms for cross-border investigation and prosecution.

The convention's 24/7 cooperation mechanism will further enhance the world's ability to respond rapidly to emerging cyber threats.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son, at this moment of special significance for the United Nations, the Hanoi Convention deeply demonstrates the United Nations' enduring values of cooperation, inclusiveness and shared responsibility.

The Convention not only affirms the central role of the United Nations in coordinating global action, but also lays the foundation for future frameworks on digital governance, artificial intelligence and online safety.

In an interconnected world, this Convention demonstrates that collective action is humanity's most powerful defense against cyber threats.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son said that Vietnam being chosen as the host country for the signing ceremony of the “Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime Prevention and Combat” is a strong recognition of Vietnam’s increasingly high position and growing prestige in international cooperation, especially in the field of cyber security.

This demonstrates the international community's confidence in Vietnam's ability to act as a bridge between nations - a trustworthy, neutral country that is always steadfast on the path of peace, dialogue and cooperation.

In recent years, Vietnam has hosted many important international events and welcomed world leaders, demonstrating that Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the international community.

Vietnam's consistent approach - “being a friend of all nations and a partner for peace” - is completely in line with the United Nations' spirit of inclusiveness and cooperation.

By hosting this historic event, Vietnam has demonstrated its leadership in promoting a safe, secure and open digital future for all. It also underscores Vietnam’s growing influence in shaping global digital governance.

Vietnam is not only a participant, but also an international consensus builder, helping countries together deal with one of the most complex challenges of our time, which is cybercrime.

(Photo: Vietnam+)

In many respects, the “Hanoi Convention” will bear Vietnam’s name as a symbol of peace, trust and shared responsibility in the digital age.

Experience and prospects from advanced countries

Sharing Australia's experience in ensuring security and safety in cyberspace, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Duc Son said that Australia has built a solid and proactive foundation in cyber security, guided by the Australian Cyber Security Strategy for the period 2023-2030, issued by the Government at the end of 2023.

The strategy is a national blueprint for a secure and resilient Australia against cyber threats by 2030, with six key “cyber security shields” ranging from strengthening critical infrastructure protection and combating cybercrime, to promoting international cooperation and enhancing community resilience. The ultimate goal is to make Australia a world-class cyber-secure nation by 2030.

Central to Australia's operational capability is the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which plays a key role in protecting the nation's networks and providing timely information and advice to government, businesses and citizens.

Through the ASD's Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Australians receive alerts, guidance and support when incidents occur.

The ASD’s Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024-2025 shows the number of cybercrime reports has increased to more than 84,000 in the past year, with average losses per incident exceeding $36,000, showing vigilance and cooperation remain key.

In addition, Australia encourages organizations to apply the “8 Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation Measures” to significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of attacks. The Australian Government is also investing heavily to improve the security of digital systems, develop human resources capacity and increase public awareness of cyber security.

Like many other countries, Australia is facing an increasingly complex cyber threat landscape, but through a coordinated national strategy, strong public-private partnerships and proactive international cooperation, Australia is working to ensure a safe, trustworthy and sustainable cyberspace for all people./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cong-uoc-ha-noi-bieu-tuong-cua-hoa-binh-va-trach-nhiem-chung-trong-ky-nguyen-so-post1072323.vnp