Promoting digital transformation and ensuring security and safety in banking in 2026

The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam has just signed Directive No. 02/CT-NHNN on promoting digital transformation and ensuring information security and safety in banking operations in 2026.

The directive requires that in 2026, units under the State Bank of Vietnam, credit institutions, branches of foreign banks, and payment intermediary service providers continue to proactively and effectively implement tasks and solutions on digital transformation and ensuring information security and safety as directed in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; the Digital Transformation Strategy of the Banking Sector to 2030; the Data Strategy of the Banking Sector to 2030; and the Banking Sector's Plan to implement the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy and Digital Society to 2025, with orientation to 2030.

Simultaneously, vigorously implement the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Payment Systems until 2030; the Banking sector's plan to implement the Project on Developing Data Applications on Population, Identification and Electronic Authentication to Serve National Digital Transformation in the period 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030 (Project 06). Develop plans and organize the implementation of new legal documents on digital transformation and ensuring information security and safety (Law on Digital Transformation, Law on Artificial Intelligence, Law on Cybersecurity).

In addition, the Governor requested credit institutions to raise awareness among organizations and individuals in the banking sector about the role and benefits of digital transformation and ensuring information security and safety in banking operations. Emphasis should be placed on building a sufficient and high-quality workforce. Heads of organizations and institutions are directly responsible for directing the implementation of digital transformation and ensuring information security and safety within their respective agencies, organizations, and areas of responsibility. Regular training and development plans on digital transformation, information security, and safety should be developed, linked to assessing the digital capabilities of banking officials and employees.

Proactively preventing, detecting, and promptly addressing potential risks, shifting from passive defense measures to actively and proactively detecting and addressing information security risks early in the provision and execution of banking activities, with particular emphasis on digital banking services, aims to protect the legitimate interests of customers while ensuring the sustainable development of the entire Vietnamese banking system.

The Governor also requested credit institutions to enhance their capacity to protect network systems, databases, and information systems providing services in the online environment, especially critical payment systems, core banking systems, and systems providing services to customers on the Internet, in accordance with domestic and international standards.

Integrate information security requirements from the design stage of data centers, information systems, digital platforms, and new applications. Organize the review, handling, and timely remediation of security vulnerabilities in information systems; prevent the occurrence and persistence of non-compliance with information security regulations. Cybersecurity, information security, and data security regulations are mandatory components of all information technology programs, plans, projects, and initiatives. Allocate a minimum of 15% of the total implementation budget to cybersecurity and data security products and services, ensuring efficiency, compliance with regulations, and avoiding waste.

Furthermore, credit institutions need to enhance the effectiveness of the Banking Sector's Network for Responding to Cybersecurity Incidents to improve information sharing and prevention and response to cybersecurity incidents within banking units; strengthen domestic and international cooperation on digital transformation and cybersecurity; share experiences and research, and apply digital technologies to ensure information security and safety in order to develop and provide a diverse range of banking products and services, enhance customer experience, and better meet the increasingly high demands and expectations of people and businesses.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/day-manh-chuyen-doi-so-va-bao-dam-an-ninh-an-toan-trong-ngan-hang-nam-2026-post1090208.vnp