Data security in the AI era: Crime is becoming increasingly "industrialized".
The explosion of AI, big data, and new technologies is creating remarkable advancements. However, these very platforms are being thoroughly exploited by cybercriminals. According to experts, we must build mechanisms to protect data throughout its lifecycle and tightly control the human element – the most vulnerable link in the chain.
At a seminar on data security in the AI era held in Hanoi on April 23, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Do Thi, Deputy Head of the Planning Department, Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security, warned that the activities of high-tech criminals are increasingly closely linked to new technologies in the digital age, making the security landscape more complex.
Currently, Vietnam has approximately 85.6 million internet users, equivalent to 84.2% of the population, placing it among the countries with the fastest internet growth rates in the region and the world.
These platforms are being exploited extensively by cybercriminals.
The rapid development of the Internet, along with artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and digital platforms, is creating significant momentum for the digital economy. However, these platforms are also being heavily exploited by criminals. Notably, approximately 85% of current cyberattacks are AI-assisted, significantly increasing the level of automation and the ability to personalize fraudulent activities.
Representatives from the Ministry of Public Security also pointed out that fraudulent activities have gone far beyond individual cases, becoming more personalized, automated, and operating in organized, even "industrialized" models. Warnings about the risks of AI are becoming increasingly clear.
In addition, other new technologies also pose significant challenges. A prime example is satellite internet. This system provides high-speed connectivity globally, including areas inaccessible to traditional infrastructure. However, its independence from ground infrastructure makes control and monitoring more difficult, creating new challenges for crime prevention and control.
Quantum computers are also considered one of the biggest "unknowns." Once they reach a certain level of development, this technology could break current encryption systems in just minutes – something that traditional computers might take thousands of years to do.
Another technology being heavily exploited is Deepfake – which allows the creation of fake content with up to 98% resemblance, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between real and fake with the naked eye. In fact, this technology has been used in many large-scale scams around the world and in Vietnam, with increasingly sophisticated methods.
Data security must be designed from the outset and throughout the entire lifecycle.
Data security must be designed from the outset and throughout the entire lifecycle.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Do Thi also emphasized that, in the context of strong digital transformation, when a series of smart devices are connected from phones and TVs to factories and cities, the attack surface also expands accordingly.
According to statistics, nearly 3 million people worldwide become victims of cyberattacks every minute. The total global economic damage in 2025 is estimated to reach $10 trillion, exceeding many traditional types of crime.
Notably, 52% of Vietnamese businesses lack robust technological solutions to respond to cybersecurity incidents, while 56% lack dedicated personnel. Many organizations still view cybersecurity as a technical issue, rather than a strategic factor crucial to their survival.
A worrying trend is that personal data is becoming a new "gold mine." In fact, the majority of scams begin with data collection. Criminals can "read" their victims, construct scenarios that closely resemble real-life situations, thereby neutralizing their vigilance.
A common tactic nowadays is to gain control of emails to change payment information. Just one verification error can cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in a matter of hours.
Other forms of fraud, such as "emotion-financial" scams, virtual investment platforms (Forex, cryptocurrencies), and high-interest loans through apps, continue to proliferate. Many schemes involve tens of thousands of victims, with the amount of money stolen reaching trillions of VND. Notably, most of the ringleaders are located abroad, making prosecution and asset recovery extremely difficult.
Based on that experience, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Do Thi emphasized the requirement for agencies and businesses to review all data processing activities, build a mechanism for protecting data throughout its lifecycle, and strictly control the human element – the most vulnerable "link".
From a policy perspective, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee, stated that Vietnam has made significant progress in perfecting its framework with laws and regulations related to information security, consumer protection, and personal data protection. Currently, the regulatory body is in the process of developing a plan, while also playing a guiding, monitoring, and summarizing role in the implementation of resolutions such as Resolution 52 and Resolution 57.
Dr. Nguyen Duc Hien emphasized the requirement to continue developing policies that both promote the development of the digital economy, moving towards the AI economy, and ensure effective risk management and system security.
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