Business
Top ten information and communication technology events in Vietnam in 2016
The cyber attacks on major banks and hackers`s attack Vietnamese airports and Vietnam Airlines are among top ten information and communication technology (ICT) events in Vietnam in 2016.
The top ten information and communication technology (ICT) milestones in Vietnam in 2016 include:
1. Hackers attack Vietnamese airports and Vietnam Airlines
An alleged Chinese hacker group implemented several cyberspace attacks on Vietnam’s two biggest airports, Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International airports, and the official website of the national flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines on July 29.
The hackers also took control of the speaker system at Noi Bai airport for a few minutes, during which the speakers broadcast an English-speaking male voice distorting Vietnam’s claims over the East Sea.
The hackers claimed to be the 1937CN from China, one of the largest hacker groups in the country.
The official website of Vietnam Airlines, vietnamairlines.com, was hacked by the 1937CN group on the same day. The airline customer database was stolen and made public on the internet.
2. Ministry of Information and Communications granted licences for VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone and Gtel to provide 4G service on broadband 1,800 MHz in 2016.
1. Hackers attack Vietnamese airports and Vietnam Airlines
An alleged Chinese hacker group implemented several cyberspace attacks on Vietnam’s two biggest airports, Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International airports, and the official website of the national flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines on July 29.
The hackers also took control of the speaker system at Noi Bai airport for a few minutes, during which the speakers broadcast an English-speaking male voice distorting Vietnam’s claims over the East Sea.
The hackers claimed to be the 1937CN from China, one of the largest hacker groups in the country.
The official website of Vietnam Airlines, vietnamairlines.com, was hacked by the 1937CN group on the same day. The airline customer database was stolen and made public on the internet.
2. Ministry of Information and Communications granted licences for VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone and Gtel to provide 4G service on broadband 1,800 MHz in 2016.
On November 3, VNPT officially launched its 4G service on Phu Quoc Island in the southern coastal province of Kien Giang, the country's first locality where VNPT is providing the 4G service.
3. The Prime Minister has asked to revoke Article 292 of the Penal Code, which stipulates penalties, including prison sentences, for providing unlicensed online or telecom services, is inimical to IT start-ups.
At the second session of the National Assembly, with the authorisation of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Justice asks to revoke Article 292.
Previously, a petition calling for the scrapping of Article 292 was sent to officials, ministers and agencies and collected nearly 6,000 signatures after only one week.
4. The Hanoi Department of Information uncovered a case involving Sam Media, a Hong Kong-based company, which cooperated with four Vietnamese carriers to steal 230 billion VND from 94,000 mobile users.
These users received advertising messages from Sam Media, which they thought were free.
5. Cyber attacks on key banks
The Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank) is almost cheated out of 1.13 million USD by international hackers in May.
Fortunately, the bank detected the suspicious transactions in time and promptly contacted relevant agencies to stop the hackers.
On August 5, 2016, a Vietcombank customer said she discovered that her account had notifications of transfer of 500 million VND. At a meeting between the customer and Vietcombank, the bank found that she had browsed a scam website on her phone and the site had stolen her banking information and password.
The cases indicate that hi-tech criminals are attacking banks and Vietnamese users who do not have experience in information security.
6. Clamp down on pre-activated SIMs
Five mobile network providers, including Viettel, VNPT (VinaPhone), MobiFone, Gtel Mobile and Vietnammobile, signed a commitment with the Ministry of Information and Communications on October 28 to intensify the confiscation of pre-activated SIM cards in order to reduce spam text messages.
More than 15 million pre-activated SIMs have been locked and retrieved since.
7. Dialling code changes
The dialling codes of all cities and provinces will be changed from early 2017, according to a decision by the Ministry of Information and Communications in November. The process will start on February 11.
In the first phase, the calling codes of Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will be changed.
Another 23 localities will get new codes on April 15. The final phase will be initiated on June 17 for the rest of the country.
8. The year of 2016 was selected to be National Startup Year
The Government has chosen 2016 to be the National Startup Year. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed that promoting entrepreneurship based on innovation and building Vietnam to become a startup country is the fastest way to develop enterpreneurial forces, especially high-tech enterprises, creating breakthrough for the development of a digital economy.
3. The Prime Minister has asked to revoke Article 292 of the Penal Code, which stipulates penalties, including prison sentences, for providing unlicensed online or telecom services, is inimical to IT start-ups.
At the second session of the National Assembly, with the authorisation of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Justice asks to revoke Article 292.
Previously, a petition calling for the scrapping of Article 292 was sent to officials, ministers and agencies and collected nearly 6,000 signatures after only one week.
4. The Hanoi Department of Information uncovered a case involving Sam Media, a Hong Kong-based company, which cooperated with four Vietnamese carriers to steal 230 billion VND from 94,000 mobile users.
These users received advertising messages from Sam Media, which they thought were free.
5. Cyber attacks on key banks
The Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank) is almost cheated out of 1.13 million USD by international hackers in May.
Fortunately, the bank detected the suspicious transactions in time and promptly contacted relevant agencies to stop the hackers.
On August 5, 2016, a Vietcombank customer said she discovered that her account had notifications of transfer of 500 million VND. At a meeting between the customer and Vietcombank, the bank found that she had browsed a scam website on her phone and the site had stolen her banking information and password.
The cases indicate that hi-tech criminals are attacking banks and Vietnamese users who do not have experience in information security.
6. Clamp down on pre-activated SIMs
Five mobile network providers, including Viettel, VNPT (VinaPhone), MobiFone, Gtel Mobile and Vietnammobile, signed a commitment with the Ministry of Information and Communications on October 28 to intensify the confiscation of pre-activated SIM cards in order to reduce spam text messages.
More than 15 million pre-activated SIMs have been locked and retrieved since.
7. Dialling code changes
The dialling codes of all cities and provinces will be changed from early 2017, according to a decision by the Ministry of Information and Communications in November. The process will start on February 11.
In the first phase, the calling codes of Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh will be changed.
Another 23 localities will get new codes on April 15. The final phase will be initiated on June 17 for the rest of the country.
8. The year of 2016 was selected to be National Startup Year
The Government has chosen 2016 to be the National Startup Year. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed that promoting entrepreneurship based on innovation and building Vietnam to become a startup country is the fastest way to develop enterpreneurial forces, especially high-tech enterprises, creating breakthrough for the development of a digital economy.
9. Cyber-Information Security Law puts into effect on July 1.
The Law on Cyber Information Safety comprises eight chapters and 54 articles prescribing the rights and responsibilities of offices, organisations and individuals in ensuring cyber information safety and civilian encryption.
The Law on Cyber Information Safety comprises eight chapters and 54 articles prescribing the rights and responsibilities of offices, organisations and individuals in ensuring cyber information safety and civilian encryption.
10. Three mobile network providers abolish roaming charges
At the 9th Summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area (CLV 9), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the Viettel to modernise the telecommunication networks of the three countries with 4G technology.
The Prime Minister also asked Viettel to support the building of e-Government for the three countries and carry out phone calls among subscribers in the three countries at domestic rates, which means cancelling roaming fees for subscribers in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
At the 9th Summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area (CLV 9), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the Viettel to modernise the telecommunication networks of the three countries with 4G technology.
The Prime Minister also asked Viettel to support the building of e-Government for the three countries and carry out phone calls among subscribers in the three countries at domestic rates, which means cancelling roaming fees for subscribers in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
