Vietnam faces severe cybersecurity workforce shortage
Vietnam ranks among the countries most vulnerable to cyberattacks, with over 659,000 incidents recorded in 2024. Nearly half of all Vietnamese organisations reported being attacked at least once.
A representative from the National Cybersecurity Association shares an overview of Vietnam's cybersecurity workforce landscape. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)💙 – Vietnam is projected to face a shortfall of more than 700,000 cybersecurity professionals in the coming years, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive training policies in the field.
The warning was issued at the Vietnam Security Summit 2025, co-organised by the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) and IEC Group on May 23 in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Vu Ngoc Son, head of the NCA's Research, Consulting, Technology Development, and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam ranks among the countries most vulnerable to cyberattacks, with over 659,000 incidents recorded in 2024. Nearly half of all Vietnamese organisations reported being attacked at least once.
He noted that around 56% of organisations lack sufficient IT and cybersecurity personnel. He attributed the shortage to weak links between education and industry, outdated curricula, and limited opportunities for practical training in real-world systems.
To address the issue, Son urged the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo on December 22, 2024 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He recommended closer collaboration between academic institutions, research centres, and businesses, with early student practical engagement, scholarships, and post-graduation recruitment guarantees.
He also suggested enhancing practical cybersecurity training to include primary schools and vocational institutions. He urged government agencies to create national occupational standards and financial aid policies to support cybersecurity students.
Themed "Cybersecurity: Building Resilience & Trust in the Ever-Changing World," the summit featured one plenary keynote session and three conference sessions on AI-driven data protection, cloud security, and IT infrastructure resilience.
Major General Le Minh Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber Security and Prevention of High-Tech Crime at the Ministry of Public Security, said Vietnam faces persistent threats to national security and information systems. Dozens of thousands of critical systems are attacked each year, making cybersecurity a pressing and long-term responsibility for all sectors.
Major General Nguyen Tung Hung, Deputy Commander of the Cyberspace Operations Command under the Ministry of National Defence, emphasised that while cyberspace presents economic opportunities, it also poses serious risks. A lack of trust due to security threats could erode public confidence in the digital environment, underscoring the need to build a secure and trustworthy cyberspace.
Visitors at an exhibition as part of activities in the Summit (Photo: VNA)
The annual summit also showcased cybersecurity solutions from over 50 leading domestic and international providers, highlighting advancements in AI security, cloud protection, data security, and identity and access management./.
These solutions aim to help European companies and organisations proactively protect their systems against evolving cyber threats, minimise data loss risks, and ensure business continuity.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) transferred its responsibility of ensuring cybersecurity to the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) during a ceremony held in Hanoi on February 28.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
