kuttibiran: Information Security: New Challenges in Digital Era ? TalkVietnam

Recent IT development trends like virtualisation, cloud computing, the robust increase of mobile devices in workplace, and social networking are causing rising impacts on administrative activities and IT management in government agencies and businesses. New tech trends boost operational flexibility and performance for IT systems on the one hand, but also pose many challenges to information security and risk management on the other. This is the content of the National Security Exhibition ? Conference (Security World 2013) under the theme of ?Information security: Emerging Trends and challenges in the new digital age? organised recently in Hanoi.

According to statistics released by BKAV, a renowned security firm, in 2012, up to 2,203 websites owned by Vietnamese agencies and businesses were attacked, mainly through network holes, almost unchanged from 2011 (with 2,245 websites hacked). In addition, according a VNISA report in 2012, Vietnam ranked fifth in the world in internet users, 15^th in malware spreading, 10^th in spamming, and 15th in zombie (computers lose control rights). Among 100 government websites (.gov.vn), up to 78 per cent are susceptible to total attacks. In 2012, many virus variants were spread with the purpose of stealing bank accounts, background connections. Mobile device security has become a hot concern when this device is increasingly popular in Vietnam.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Minh Hong, said that the proliferation of information technology devices or the development and application of modern technologies like virtualisation and cloud computing is posing new challenges to information security. Currently, the Ministry of Information and Communications is perfecting the State management apparatus responsible for information security, including preparations for the establishment of Information Security Agency, while improving security incident rescues and stepping up human resources development for information security.

Mr Le Thanh Tam, General Director of IDG ASEAN, said the continued tech development and new trends like smart mobile devices, virtualisation, social networking are becoming an integral part in the new technological era.

This brings opportunities for government agencies and businesses and poses immense challenges to information security. In a few years, network security is of deep interest of State agencies and businesses. However, according to experts, most Vietnamese companies do not have network security offices. Budget for information security at Vietnamese agencies and businesses is still limited. Indeed, they need long-term development strategies to bring to an end to information insecurity.

Colonel Tran Van Hoa, Deputy Director of Cyber Crime Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, said distributing products and services via online channels is more and more popular. Thus, information security threats will occur more frequently and cause huge losses to agencies, enterprise and users. According to USA Today, cyber crimes caused losses of US$67.2 billion in the world. The damage hit US$400 billion in 2012, only second to drugs (US$460 billion). He cited popular high-tech crimes in 2012 like attack on computers, computer networks, web security vulnerabilities, data stealing and destruction, and spreading of virus, spyware, trojans, worms, and malware.

Security World 2013 is organised by the International Data Group (IDG) under the auspices and coordination of the Computer Science Department under the General Logistics ? Technical Department, the Ministry of Public Security; Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT); the Ministry of Information and Communications; and Government Personnel Committee.

After seven editions since 2007, Security World 2013 has become the largest, most reputed forum in Vietnam. This annual event is a place for organisations and businesses to exchange useful information, update technological trends, new information security solutions, input information for strategy making, etc.

Mr Ngo Viet Khoi, Business Manager at Trend Micro Vietnam Company, said intended attacks are the main source of attacks in 2013. Worryingly, hackers use new malicious codes to be free from the scanning of antivirus software.

According to experts, State agencies and businesses necessarily take solutions to manage and scan malware within their networks and record in sanbox for network administrators to patch holes, detect email phishing and malware and track hackers? servers.

Together with the conference, the exhibition will showcase most advanced products, equipment and solutions to network security, cloud information security, encryption, authentication, ATM security, POS security, identity management and access control.

Thu Ha

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