Risks when depending on foreign software and platforms

At the Vietnam Security Summit 2026 event, taking place on May 22 in Hanoi, Major General Nguyen Tung Hung, Deputy Commander of Cyberspace Operations – Ministry of National Defense, said that most current digital systems depend on foreign software and platforms, cross-border cloud computing services, imported network equipment and core technology from outside. This brings benefits in terms of deployment speed and cost, but entails strategic risks, such as the risk of data leaks, service interruptions or dependence on foreign suppliers.

He said that in the digital age, critical national infrastructure is not only electricity, transportation, telecommunications or banking, but also exists in cyberspace. A crippled data center could disrupt the operations of millions, while an attack on the banking system could cause widespread payment disruptions.

He said that forms of cyber attacks have now become large-scale, organized and have technical depth, not just individual sabotage or financial gain as before. Many attack groups use AI to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities (security errors in software or systems that the developer does not know or have not yet patched), attack software or install malicious code silently for a long time.

In particular, many attacks not only steal data but also aim to disrupt essential infrastructure, gain control, sabotage operational infrastructure and cause loss of trust in society, affecting the economy and national security.

According to a representative of the Ministry of Defense, in the world many airports, hospitals, power plants, oil and gas systems, banks and large technology corporations have been crippled by attacks, showing that no organization is immune to cyber attacks. For businesses, “just one serious network incident can cause loss of data, loss of customers, loss of reputation, and even loss of viability,” Mr. Hung said.

He believes that it is necessary to change thinking from response to proactive prevention, because “prevention is always more effective than remediation.” He also proposed many solutions, one of which is to develop domestic digital platforms and products, and improve technological autonomy. “A country cannot ensure digital sovereignty if it depends entirely on foreign technology,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, according to Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan, Deputy Director of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control (A05) – Ministry of Public Security, cyber attack activities tend to increase in both scale, sophistication and cross-border nature. Groups are starting to use AI to commit fraud, impersonation, spread malware, and organize targeted attacks on agencies, organizations, and businesses.

“Many new forms of attacks such as deepfake, data theft, account hijacking or financial fraud in cyberspace are causing very serious consequences,” Mr. Quan warned.

He said that the rapid development of quantum technology in the near future is also posing challenges, when many encryption methods are at risk of no longer ensuring safety against the processing capacity of quantum computing. Therefore, the representative of the Ministry of Public Security noted the need to “prepare cyber security capacity”, in addition to responding to immediate risks.