Hoang Dang Hai, deputy director of the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) talks about IT security situation in Viet Nam at the Vietnam-Korea Information Security Forum and Business Meeting 2014 on June 25 in Ha Noi. — VNS Photos Lan Dung

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The IT infrastructure in Viet Nam has expanded in recent years, making information security a crucial issue.

Moon Jae-woong from the Korea Information Security Industry Association (KISIA) made the statement at the Vietnam-Korea Information Security Forum and Business Meeting 2014 on June 25 in Ha Noi.

He said that the rate of cyber hacking in South Korea is the highest in the world and the country has gained much experience in resolving these issues. "I think Viet Nam will face similar attacks, and technology transfer may help Viet Nam resolve them," he noted.

According to the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT), the number of malware, phishing websites and other security incidents has been on the rise, from 2179 in 2012 to 4810 in 2013.

VNCERT deputy director Hoang Dang Hai said IT is now vital to many sectors, and valuable information attracts hackers. He added that Viet Nam lacks experts, mechanisms and policies for developing information safety.

VNCERT has been preparing a draft law on information security since July 2012 and is expected to submit it to the National Assembly in May, 2015. International cooperation is an important part of the draft law, emphasising training and technology transfer.

Attending the meeting, Vietnam Information Security Association's (VNISA) chief Nguyen Chi Thanh said that the meeting was a good opportunity for enterprises to exchange tools and solutions on information security, especially in this complex context. Talking about the Viet Hong Technology Company Limited's illegal spying of more than 14,000 smartphones, he said that it was partly due to user behaviour. "Users should improve their awareness and protect their devices themselves first. Meanwhile, IT experts have to predict risks and find out how to prevent attacks," Thanh said.

In June 2011, VNISA and KISIA signed an agreement on supporting each other and expanding commercial trade among their members. The meeting was one of the activities meant to boost cooperation between the two sides. — VNS

South Korean enterprises introduce their security solutions and tools to Vietnamese firms on the sideline of the Vietnam-Korea Information Security Forum and Business Meeting 2014 on June 25 in Ha Noi. On the sidelines of the meeting, nine South Korean IT enterprises introduced their information security solutions to Vietnamese firms. South Korean's Plustech has cooperated with Viet Nam's CMC Software in a research and development (R&D) project in 2013 on security solutions worth US$200,000. This June, the firm signed another contract with CMC on internet security management, worth $150,000. Jang Yong-sun, senior engineer of Plustech, said that there are a lot of young workers in Viet Nam but they lack IT experience. He expressed the belief that thanks to the exchanges between the two countries, IT workers could learn from South Korea's experience, enabling Viet Nam to fast-track its IT development.