Security engineers and network security rehearse how to respond to and fix APT attacks on important information systems related to national security_Source: thanhnien.vn
The Party's viewpoint on building and promoting the strength of people's war and "people's hearts" in cyberspace
The thousands of years of history of the Vietnamese people have affirmed the inevitable law that building a country must go hand in hand with defending it. Deeply imbued with that law, our Party has applied and developed it into a strategic principle that building must go hand in hand with firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
Currently, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been creating a leap in technology (CN), bringing humanity into the digital age. Accordingly, all human activities are digitized, stored, processed, and transmitted in cyberspace - an information environment, a vibrant living space of society, a "special territory" of each country. Any country that does not want to fall behind, depend, or even be interfered with or invaded must have measures to develop and master digital technology associated with protecting digital resources and protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace. According to a report by We are Social, as of January 2024, Vietnam had 78.44 million internet users (accounting for 79.1% of the population); 73.3% of the population used social media; there were a total of 168.5 million active mobile connections; 92.7% of all internet users in Vietnam have used at least one social media platform (1) .
Recognizing the importance of cyberspace, our Party has paid attention to leading and directing the organization of forces, establishing and building infrastructure and posture to protect national sovereignty in cyberspace through many documents, such as Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW, dated July 25, 2018, of the Politburo on "Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace" which has supplemented and completed the Party's viewpoint on the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. The 13th Congress continued to emphasize: "Comprehensively and synchronously implementing the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland, the National Defense Strategy, the Military Strategy, the National Security Protection Strategy, the National Border Protection Strategy, the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Strategy and other specialized defense and security strategies" (2) . In the 10-year socio-economic development strategy (2021 - 2030), national digital sovereignty is an indispensable part of the task of protecting the Fatherland: "Actively and proactively develop plans and combat options, improve the level and combat readiness to firmly protect independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and maintain political stability, national security, social order and safety, and maintain national digital sovereignty in cyberspace in all situations" (3) . This viewpoint continues to be emphasized in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo: Protecting national sovereignty in cyberspace; ensuring network security, data security, information security... are inseparable requirements in the process of developing science , technology, innovation and national digital transformation (4) .
The consistent and consistent viewpoint of the Party in the National Defense Strategy is: Promoting the great role of the people, effectively implementing the national defense policy, people's war with the motto of relying on the people, "people are the root"; building a solid "people's heart position" under the absolute and direct leadership of the Party, the centralized and unified management and administration of the State is the decisive factor for victory.
Vietnam's national defense strategy also identifies the basic task of building a solid all-people defense posture and a solid people's security posture. On the basis of the all-people defense posture in peacetime, it is quickly transformed into a people's war posture when there is a war. However, with the emergence of "special territories" such as cyberspace and digital infrastructure systems, national databases, protecting the Fatherland poses more urgent and frequent requirements, even in peacetime. Because hostile forces plot and use cyberspace to carry out "peaceful evolution", promote "self-evolution", and "self-transformation". At a higher level, these forces can use cyberspace to conduct information warfare, steal state secrets, military secrets, national data, paralyze our information, command, and combat systems, and combine them with non-armed or armed measures in other environments to invade our country's sea, island, and border territories on a large scale. These situations can occur independently, simultaneously, or intertwined. Therefore, protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace is of special importance, not only to protect "special territories" but also to protect the entire Fatherland, ensuring the country's strong, prosperous, and sustainable development in the new era.
With that meaning, building and promoting the strength of the people's war posture, the "people's hearts posture" in cyberspace to protect the Fatherland is currently an urgent, regular task, not passive, unexpected in all situations, combining an active, solid defense strategy with timely offensive responses, handling situations flexibly and effectively, ensuring network safety, security and national sovereignty on digital platforms and cyberspace.
The battle posture is "the totality of measures to organize, arrange, deploy forces and battlefield equipment to create an advantageous position and maximize the combat strength of the forces participating in the battle to win the battle" (5) . According to the 2018 Law on National Defense, people's war is a comprehensive, all-people war, with the people's armed forces as the core to protect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland and to protect the people, the Party, the State, and the socialist regime (6) . Thus, the people's war posture in cyberspace to protect the Fatherland is the organization, arrangement, and deployment of forces and equipment of the State and people, with the people's armed forces as the core, mobilizing the strength of the entire people, proactively attacking and responding to acts of violating sovereignty and national security regarding information infrastructure, national digital data, and all areas of social activities in cyberspace.
To fully promote the people's war in cyberspace, promoting the "people's heart" is the core factor, creating an invincible strength to protect the Fatherland in the digital age. "People's heart" includes awareness, feelings, beliefs and will to fight for national independence, the core is patriotism, solidarity, determination to fight and sacrifice for the eternal existence of the Fatherland. "People's heart" in cyberspace to protect the Fatherland is the spirit of patriotism, solidarity, vigilance, and will to fight that is aroused, gathered, and promoted into the combined strength of the entire people to firmly protect the Fatherland's sovereignty in cyberspace, contributing to firmly and comprehensively protecting the Fatherland. President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed: "No army or weapon can defeat the spirit of sacrifice of an entire nation" (7) .
The Cyberspace Operations Force actively practices for the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day_Photo: baoquankhu5.vn
Practice of promoting people's war and people's hearts in cyberspace
Some results achieved
Firstly, firmly uphold the Party's leadership, supplement and perfect the State's legal documents.
Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace (2018); Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW, dated October 22, 2018, of the 12th Politburo “On strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation, fighting against erroneous and hostile views in the new situation”; Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo “On breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation”; Law on Cyber Security (2018); Law on Network Information Security (amended and supplemented in 2018); Law on Protection of State Secrets (2018); Directive No. 14/CT-TTg, dated May 25, 2018, of the Prime Minister “On improving the capacity to prevent and combat malware”; Directive No. 02/CT-TTg, dated July 4, 2018, of the Prime Minister "On the protection of state secrets in cyberspace"; Resolution No. 22/NQ-CP, dated October 18, 2019, of the Government "On promulgating the Action Program to implement Resolution No. 30-NQ/TW of the Politburo"; together with plans and action programs of Party committees and authorities at all levels, initially formed the political-legal basis and material basis for ensuring national cyber security, information security, and national cyberspace.
Second, organize and deploy core forces to participate in the people's war and "people's hearts" in cyberspace.
Immediately after the directives, resolutions and documents of the Party and State were issued, Party committees and authorities at all levels thoroughly grasped and seriously and effectively implemented them. Core and specialized forces were built and consolidated to modernize, in line with plans and strategies to protect the Fatherland, such as the Cyberspace Operations Command (under the Ministry of National Defense); the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control (under the Ministry of Public Security); the Department of Information Security (under the Ministry of Information and Communications); Steering Committee 35, Force 47 at all levels... These forces have proactively and effectively fought, gradually repelling all types of crimes;... foiling the plots and activities of "peaceful evolution" and violent overthrow of hostile and reactionary forces.
Third, gradually perfecting cyberspace infrastructure and digital data.
Cyberspace infrastructure and digital data are built and developed to meet the leadership requirements of the Party, management and operation of the State and the needs of the people in socio-economic development as well as ensuring national defense and security. Statistics from the Ministry of Information and Communications show that the national data sharing integration platform has established 388 connection points between the systems and databases of 95 agencies and units, with about 2.29 million transactions per day (8) . The national database system is gradually being built to serve the development of e-Government, digital Government, digital society, digital economy from the central to local levels, creating a driving force for national development in the digital age associated with a safe and secure network system, preventing the risk of cyber attacks. The national population database has officially connected with 18 ministries, branches, 1 state-owned enterprise (EVN), 4 telecommunications enterprises and 63 localities to serve information exploitation; receiving more than 1.53 billion requests for information verification (9) .
Fourth, build a network system on social media across cyberspace, attracting the participation of many classes of people.
Party committees, authorities at all levels and the entire political system have built a widespread social media network of agencies, departments, branches, political and social organizations from the central to local levels, gathering and promoting trust, consensus and determination to protect the Fatherland in every social component. The force of experts, collaborators, administrators, "influencers" (KOLs) are regularly trained, improved, ensuring quality and efficiency, creating social consensus on the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws. Replicate examples of good people and good deeds, preserve, consolidate and spread the nation's cultural traditions in all activities, especially many works and art programs combining tradition with modernity in performances have aroused national consciousness and spirit, especially among the young generation. The above results show that we have gradually perfected and developed the Party's theoretical thinking on building and organizing the implementation of the Fatherland Protection Strategy in the direction of strengthening the "people's hearts and minds"; proactively and promptly detecting, preventing, and repelling the risks of war and conflict, protecting the Fatherland early and from afar; continuing to consolidate and strengthen national defense and security; maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development.
Limitations and shortcomings
In addition to the achieved results, the activities of promoting the people's war posture and "people's hearts posture" in cyberspace contribute to protecting the Fatherland. In the new situation, there are still the following limitations and shortcomings:
First of all, “the dissemination, organization, and implementation of Party resolutions and State laws on national defense, security, and national protection are sometimes not strict and effective. The work of grasping the situation and making strategic forecasts on national defense and security is sometimes not proactive; crimes and social evils are still complicated; security in some areas and fields is not really stable, especially cyber security, etc. The work of managing and ensuring information security and cyber security is still limited” (10) . On the other hand, “the work of combating and preventing bad and toxic information, wrong and hostile viewpoints is sometimes and in some places passive, lacking sharpness, and not highly combative; the work of grasping public opinion before unexpected events and situations is not timely” (11) .
Second , the infrastructure is not yet synchronized, especially the digital infrastructure, which still has many limitations; security, information safety, and data protection still have many challenges. Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest risk of being infected with malware, with nearly 70% of computer users at high risk of infection; it ranks third in the number of mobile users attacked by malware. The majority of social media service providers are overseas. Many social media accounts of organizations and individuals abroad still openly exist to sabotage the Vietnamese revolution.
Third, the mass media system still has some limitations; there are still press agencies that are far from their principles and purposes, showing signs of commercialization in performing their functions and tasks; and there are many shortcomings in the management of social media. Agencies, units, political, social and local organizations have not yet established information channels on social media or have but their activities are not regular and ineffective, and have not gathered the majority of cadres, party members, especially the masses to participate and interact. The cultural environment on cyberspace still has many unhealthy and "non-standard" manifestations, failing to promote values and effectiveness as a driving force and social regulator, and to arouse the spirit and aspirations of the people for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Some "influencers" on social media tend to put personal and economic interests above the interests of the community. Some social media users are still vague, lack fighting spirit, and lose vigilance against false and hostile information...
Currently, issues of human security, social security, non-traditional security, especially cyber security, etc. continue to develop in a complicated manner, hostile forces stubbornly oppose our Party, State and people. In cyberspace, in addition to activities of collecting and interfering with information systems, hostile forces use thousands of websites, blogs, social media accounts and hundreds of associations and groups on social media platforms to oppose our Party, State and people, promote "self-evolution", "self-transformation", and plot to overthrow the political regime in our country. The above situation requires a system of appropriate solutions to overcome limitations and effectively promote the strength of people's war and "people's hearts" in cyberspace in the coming time.
Some solutions in the coming time
The first, continue to raise awareness, responsibility, foster sentiment and will of the entire Party, people and army in implementing the Strategy to protect the Fatherland in cyberspace in the digital age.
Strengthening propaganda and education in the national education system, mass media and social media to raise awareness of cadres, party members, the entire people and the entire army about the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace - a part of the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in the new situation, of the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland. Identifying situations that can occur independently, simultaneously or in a complex intertwined manner with the specific characteristics of protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace is urgent, regular, in wartime as well as in peacetime. From there, make cadres, party members, soldiers and all people understand the goals, mottos and tasks of protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace. Protecting the Fatherland is not only protecting the space on land, sea, islands, in the air, in space but also in cyberspace. In particular, making cadres, party members, the entire army and the entire people deeply aware of the strength of the all-people national defense posture, the people's war posture, the "people's hearts posture" in cyberspace under the leadership of the Party and the unified management of the State is the decisive factor for all victories. From there, arouse the spirit of patriotism, the will to be self-reliant, the strength of great national unity, the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country, and firmly protect the Fatherland. Combine propaganda and education with strict handling of violations of the law in cyberspace.
Second, continue to improve, be autonomous, and ensure the safety of national digital infrastructure and data.
Continue to perfect the advanced, modern, high-capacity, ultra-wideband digital infrastructure on par with advanced countries, gradually master a number of strategic technologies, digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data, cloud computing, etc., ensuring proactive, safe, and seamless information. Build a mechanism for providing, sharing, and exploiting information associated with binding responsibilities for information management and use. Perfect the state management apparatus, enforce laws on information technology, telecommunications, and information security, especially in the context of streamlining the apparatus and staff, ensuring "streamlining - compact - strong - efficient - effective - efficient". Encourage the development and use of tools and services on cyberspace produced by Vietnam to enhance autonomy and competitiveness with foreign suppliers. Increase investment in financial resources for science and technology, prioritizing strategic areas, including national defense. There are policies and regimes to encourage organizations and individuals to invest in research, experimentation, and application of science and technology. Focus on education and training, especially training human resources for science and technology sectors and specialized centers in high technology. Attract talents, foster and improve the level of research and application of high technology; continue to build special mechanisms for accessing, purchasing, and copying technological secrets, both creating development momentum and creating potential to protect the Fatherland.
Third, build, develop and protect digital culture in cyberspace.
Culture is the spiritual foundation of society, an important pillar alongside national defense and security to build and firmly protect the Fatherland. Building and developing digital culture in cyberspace needs to be imbued with advanced content, imbued with national identity, the core of which is national independence associated with socialism, under the light of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thought, making the Party's ideological foundation become the spiritual foundation of society in cyberspace. Arouse patriotism, solidarity, will, determination, and aspiration to build a prosperous and happy country, especially among the young generation. Enhance the ability to "immunize" oneself against toxic, hostile information, and be vigilant and politically sensitive. Create a solid people's position in cyberspace, taking the specialized forces of the army, police, propaganda, press and media as the core, gathering and promoting the strength of the entire people to expose and smash all plots and tricks of hostile forces against our Party, State and people. Consolidate and enhance the quality and effectiveness of the operations of specialized forces; improve the quality of news, articles, videos, podcasts, other multimedia products, etc., in propaganda work and the fight against erroneous and hostile viewpoints, focusing on the flexible use of political language with digital language to increase persuasiveness and appeal. Coordinate regularly with functional forces and the entire people to effectively resolve "hot spots" and "hot issues" in cyberspace. Build and promote the positivity of the social media system, attracting a large number of people to follow, participate and interact positively. Build a strong, lean and disciplined page management board, group and system of "influencers" to help coordinate and orient information, contribute to spreading good actions, "use beauty to eliminate ugliness"; fight against wrongdoings, thereby building an increasingly healthy online information environment, contributing to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the country in the new era./.
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(1) See: Nghia Le: "The impact of digital media and social networks on Vietnamese society", Communist Party of Vietnam Electronic Newspaper, June 1, 2024
(2) Documents of the 13th National Party Congress , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2021, vol. I, p. 160
(3) Documents of the 13th National Party Congress , op. cit., vol. 1, p. 277
(4) Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo "On breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation", Government Electronic Newspaper , https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/toan-van-nghi-quyet-ve-dot-pha-phat-trien-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-chuyen-doi-so-quoc-gia-119241224180048642.htm
(5) Center for Military Encyclopedia: Vietnam Military Encyclopedia , People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2004, p. 931
(6) Law on National Defense, Ministry of National Defense Electronic Information Portal, https://mod.gov.vn/home/intro/detail?1dmy¤t=true&urile=wcm%3Apath%3A/mod/sa-mod-site/sa-qpvn/sa-qpvn-bqp-root/sa-qpvn-gt/luat-quoc-phong-nam-2018
(7) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 4, p. 89
(8) https://www.vietnamplus.vn/van-hanh-hieu-qua-co-so-du-lieu-quoc-gia-tao-nen-tang-phat-trien-chinh-phu-so-post969795.vnp
(9) https://www.vietnamplus.vn/van-hanh-hieu-qua-co-so-du-lieu-quoc-gia-tao-nen-tang-phat-trien-chinh-phu-so-post969795.vnp
(10) Documents of the 13th National Party Congress , op. cit., vol. I, pp. 87 - 88
(11) Documents of the 13th National Party Congress , op. cit., vol. 1, p. 91
Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/quoc-phong-an-ninh-oi-ngoai1/-/2018/1172302/xay-dung-va-phat-huy-suc-manh-the-tran-chien-tranh-nhan-dan%2C-%E2%80%9Cthe-tran-long-dan%E2%80%9D-tren-khong-giant-mang-gop-phan-bao-ve-to-quoc-trong-ky-nguyen-so.aspx
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