AI expands opportunities while raising cybercrime risks

The trend underscores the urgent need to strengthen cyber defences, close legal gaps and promote the safe, responsible use of AI. While AI is accelerating digital transformation, it is also enabling cybercriminals to launch attacks with greater speed and sophistication.

According to the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA)'s 2025 Cybersecurity Report, Vietnam recorded about 552,000 cyberattacks in 2025, affecting 52.3% of government agencies, organisations and businesses.

The challenge extends well beyond Vietnam. According to the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), AI, encryption technologies and anonymisation tools are making cybercrime increasingly sophisticated, widening the gap between cybercriminals and law enforcement agencies. At the same time, many businesses still lack both the technology and skilled personnel needed to protect data and respond effectively to cyber threats.

AI becomes a new weapon for cybercriminals

According to Dinh Van Ket, Deputy Head of the Technology Division under Department 2 of the Supreme People's Procuracy, high-tech criminals in Vietnam are making extensive use of emerging technologies and anonymisation tools to conceal their activities. They rely on encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), proxy servers and anonymous accounts to erase digital traces, making investigations increasingly difficult.

Ket said the rapid rise of AI and deepfake technology has become one of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges. Criminals constantly adapt their tactics, while AI-generated content has become increasingly realistic and difficult to distinguish from authentic material. Meanwhile, the legal framework governing AI still contains significant gaps and has yet to keep pace with technological advances.

Apart from the rapid evolution of technology, law enforcement agencies are also facing mounting resource constraints. While cybercriminal groups can spend tens of thousands of US dollars each month to recruit highly skilled technical specialists, enforcement agencies continue to operate under tight budgetary and staffing constraints.

Ket warned that Vietnam could face a shortage of more than 700,000 cybersecurity professionals in the coming years, weakening the country's ability to detect, analyse and respond to increasingly sophisticated threats. At present, only about 11% of organisations have adequate cyber defence capabilities, while 56% lack dedicated information security personnel.

The NCA report also found that nearly half of agencies and businesses face cybersecurity staffing shortages, more than half have yet to deploy centralised anti-malware software, and many still lack basic internet access control measures such as firewalls.

On the legal front, Ket noted that Vietnam has gradually strengthened its legal framework for combating cybercrime. Alongside the Penal Code, the 2025 Law on Cybersecurity, which took effect on July 1, 2026, is expected to enhance the responsibilities of digital platforms and businesses in protecting information systems.

However, he said further improvements are needed, particularly the introduction of an emergency mechanism to freeze digital assets before criminal proceeds can be moved. He also called for tougher penalties for platforms that fail to promptly remove fraudulent content, as well as response time-based sanctions and temporary blocking measures for content suspected of violating the law.

Ket further recommended standardising digital forensic procedures and electronic evidence rules to better support the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases involving digital data, cryptocurrencies and AI-generated content. He also stressed the need to expand specialised cybersecurity training.

Over the longer term, he proposed building a cybersecurity framework centred on "Proactive Defence - Rapid Response - Sustainable Recovery," focusing on three priorities: upgrading technical infrastructure, developing cybersecurity talent and strengthening international cooperation. He also called for greater investment in cybersecurity monitoring centres, the development of Made-in-Vietnam cybersecurity products and closer cooperation with cross-border digital platforms.

"Cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue; it is also a matter of national governance," Ket said. "No system is completely secure. What matters is the ability to detect threats early, respond quickly, recover effectively and protect sensitive data."

Growing AI adoption brings greater pressure to protect data

Assessing Vietnam's readiness for the AI era, Dao Viet Anh, an information technology expert, said the country is well placed to embrace the next wave of technological innovation thanks to its young population and strong momentum in digital transformation. Interest in applying AI to learning, work and daily life is also growing rapidly, providing a solid foundation for its wider adoption.

According to Viet Anh, the Digital Literacy for All programme is helping bring digital technologies and AI closer to the public. At the same time, he noted, broader AI adoption also presents growing challenges in data protection and the fight against online fraud.

He said the greatest risk lies not in AI itself, but in the limited ability of many users, particularly older people and those with less exposure to technology, to identify AI-generated fake content. Without the skills to verify information, they can easily fall victim to online scams.

To reduce those risks, he urged the public to verify information before accepting or sharing AI-generated content. Businesses, meanwhile, should integrate AI deployment with data protection policies, information governance and staff training so that the technology can be used effectively while remaining secure and compliant with the law.

Viet Anh also noted that many businesses are still exploring and adopting AI independently to meet their own operational needs. That in itself is not a concern, provided implementation is guided by appropriate governance and clear safeguards. Without them, AI can easily be misused for harmful purposes.

Citing the growing use of generative AI to create images and content for social media, he said the technology offers significant benefits but also raises questions over copyright, creators' rights and ethical standards. Alongside improving the legal framework, businesses should foster a culture of responsible AI use, strengthen professional ethics and reinforce awareness of data protection.

Viet Anh pointed out that AI is a powerful tool for improving productivity and optimising costs, but its full value can only be realised when it is used responsibly.

He added that Vietnam is far from alone in facing the challenge of harnessing AI without allowing it to be misused. As AI becomes increasingly accessible, individuals need to equip themselves with the knowledge to use it safely and responsibly, while always verifying information before accepting or sharing it. Doing so helps protect individuals, organisations and the broader digital environment.

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