The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Cybersecurity

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has been taking place at an unprecedented pace in history, with many popular scientific and technological advances... Accordingly, "artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and cloud computing are gradually becoming important production tools in many industries and fields" ⁽¹⁾ . The Fourth Industrial Revolution opens a new era, surpassing the scope of information technology and electronics, driven by systems that integrate both digital and analog data across computational and physical environments; changing the industry in several key ways: big analog data, smaller but more efficient devices, allowing smaller teams of design experts, no longer geographical distance and easier education ⁽²⁾ .

The scale and speed of development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have a great impact on many areas of life, especially the economic sector. In terms of scale , the speed of spreading modern technology is getting faster and faster. For example, it takes 75 years for phones, 46 years for electricity, 22 years for television, and only 7 years for the internet; other social media such as Facebook need 4 years, especially the WeChat social platform only needs 1 year, Pokemon Go needs 19 days... to reach the threshold of 50 million users (See Figure 1). For other platforms such as TikTok, it only takes 9 months and ChatGPT 2 months to reach the threshold of 100 million users ⁽³⁾ . From an economic perspective, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has a major impact on consumption, production, productivity and prices... A typical example is the 3D printing technology market, which has increased rapidly in value, from only about 3 billion USD in 2012 to 20.67 billion USD in 2023; expected to reach 98.31 billion USD in 2032 ⁽⁴⁾ .

Figure 1: Time to reach 50 million users
(Source: https://www.su.org/resources/exponential-technology-trends-that-will-define-2019)

The Fourth Industrial Revolution fundamentally changes the way people live, work and interact with each other. Scientific and technological advances in the industrial revolution create profound changes in social life, labor productivity, occupational structure, transformation of production and business systems, etc. (5). ^Cyberspace becomes the "fifth environment", with the emergence of cyber warfare, deeply affecting the defense and security of every country ⁽⁶⁾ . At this time, the connotation of the concept of "national security" is expanded, not only limited to the mainland but also understood as security issues in many fields, especially security in cyberspace. Modern information technology, on the one hand, brings about progressive achievements in economic and social life, on the other hand, creates many great challenges to ensuring national security, especially the issues of high-tech crime, information security, and network security. Typically, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent times has brought about huge changes to economic, social and political life around the world. However, AI also poses many challenges, including the increase in cyber attacks through AI. “Cyber ​​attacks through AI are increasing, causing serious economic losses. According to statistics, in 2023, the world is estimated to lose up to 8,000 billion USD due to cyber attacks (equivalent to nearly 21 billion USD per day). That number will increase to 9,500 trillion USD in 2024” ⁽⁷⁾ . Terrorists take advantage of advances in AI technology to carry out bad purposes, such as sending malicious emails, spreading false information, attracting supporters, and planning terrorist attacks; or the use of technology to create fake technology products (deepfake) to create fake nude photos targeting women and children in the US, Korea... ⁽⁸⁾ .

Reality shows that cyberspace and some types of information technology services and applications are being exploited by hostile forces and criminals ⁽⁹⁾ . The number of cyber attacks is increasing, causing serious damage, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when governments and businesses have to switch to remote working. Malware attacks are increasing every year ⁽¹⁰⁾ . The number of cyber attacks in 2023 is 2,365 with more than 343 million victims. Among malware attacks, email attacks are the most common type, accounting for about 35% of attacks ⁽¹¹ ) .

In Vietnam, the situation of high-tech crimes has become increasingly complicated in recent times. Cyberspace and some types of information technology services and applications are being used by hostile and reactionary forces to carry out many sinister schemes. In the past nearly 10 years, hostile forces and bad elements have been using 8,784 websites and blogs with foreign domain names; 381 websites and blogs with domestic domain names to regularly post bad and toxic information against the Party and State of Vietnam; 279 cases of using the internet to violate national security have been discovered, more than 200 subjects have been fought; 140 subjects have been handled. Notably, there were 219 cases of inciting protests in cyberspace; 138 disguised associations and groups operating in cyberspace; 45,498 information portals and websites with the domain name “.vn” were attacked, including 2,113 attacks on information portals and websites of Party and State agencies, causing serious consequences ⁽¹²⁾ .

Cyber ​​attacks and cyber fraud are increasingly appearing, with large scale, high intensity, increasing in seriousness, and dangerous level, directly threatening national security and social order and safety. According to a recent report by Microsoft, the rate of attacks on Vietnam using ransomware malware is the highest in Asia - Pacific, it is one of the three countries in the region most affected by malware attacks (after Indonesia and Sri Lanka) and ranks sixth in the world in the number of unintentional malware downloads ⁽¹³⁾ . Cyber ​​terrorism has emerged as a serious challenge to national security. Cybercrime activities are increasing in number, with sophisticated tricks causing serious economic damage, affecting ideology, culture, society... Worryingly, the situation of virus infection and the appearance of spyware pose a risk to the security and safety of network information systems. In our country, there are currently about 26 forms of cyber fraud that are occurring regularly. Of these, 72.6% are direct financial frauds, 26.4% are online frauds, and 1% are other types ⁽¹⁴⁾ .

In addition, the rapid development of the Internet and IoT technology-connected devices leads to the risk of revealing state secrets and personal information and privacy. Bad actors take advantage of loopholes in information security and document security to carry out large-scale attacks to steal information, interfere with political and social activities or commit other illegal acts.

Some solutions to ensure national security in cyberspace in our country in the new context  

Faced with the multifaceted impacts of science and technology, countries must rethink their governance methods in order to take advantage of the positive aspects for development, increase national competitiveness, and minimize the negative impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In fact, countries are actively promoting digital transformation and applying digital technology to national governance to enhance competitiveness, while proactively preventing, protecting against, and ensuring network security and safety.

In recent times, our Party and State have always attached importance to digital transformation, identifying this as one of the top key tasks to help the country take advantage of the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, towards a sustainably developed economy, quickly catching up with developed countries in the world. In the process of participating in the digital transformation, our Party frankly pointed out the shortcomings and limitations in implementation, which are: "The national digital transformation process is still slow and lacks initiative due to the limited infrastructure serving the digital transformation process; many enterprises are still passive, the capacity to access, apply and develop modern technology is still low" ⁽¹⁵⁾ , "the speed and breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation development are still slow...; the awareness of many levels, many sectors, cadres, civil servants and people about digital transformation is not complete and profound...; the infrastructure is not yet synchronous, especially the digital infrastructure, which still has many limitations; information security, safety and data protection still face many challenges" ⁽¹⁶⁾ . Faced with the need for a revolution with strong and comprehensive reforms to adjust production relations and create new momentum for development, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo, on "Breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation" sets out specific goals to be achieved by 2030, with a vision to 2045; helping to innovate thinking and working methods, remove barriers, and liberate capacity for breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation development to realize the development goals set by the 13th National Party Congress. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW emphasizes: “Ensuring safety, network security and national sovereignty on digital platforms and cyberspace; security, safety of legal data of organizations, individuals, enterprises and national data security sovereignty” ⁽¹⁷⁾ , considering it a consistent and inseparable requirement in the process of developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

The Cyberspace Operations Force of Military Region 5 actively practices for the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day_Photo: baoquankhu5.vn

To take advantage of the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as to strengthen national security in the context of digital transformation, it is necessary to pay attention to the following solutions:

Firstly , proactively grasp and effectively implement the viewpoints, guidelines and policies of the Party and State on digital transformation and science and technology development, especially the goals and tasks identified in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and resolutions and directives of the Party and State on science and technology, to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation.

Second , raise awareness among cadres and party members about the impacts and issues raised by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially the impact on ensuring national security in cyberspace. Focus on improving the capacity of cadres and civil servants, ensuring the ability to master scientific and technological achievements; grasp and proactively prevent and combat plots and sabotage tricks of hostile forces and other types of crimes in the context of national digital transformation, protecting national safety and security in cyberspace.

Third , make the most of the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in deploying and organizing the specialized force to ensure national security to ensure compactness and efficiency. Maximize the advantages of the Internet and media to provide and regularly update information and official viewpoints of the Party and State, contributing to raising awareness and political consciousness, fighting against wrong and hostile viewpoints and arguments, protecting the Party's ideological foundation, protecting national and ethnic interests in cyberspace.

Fourth, promote international cooperation; strengthen cooperation with advanced countries and international organizations to maximize all resources for scientific development, focusing on building a truly in-depth, strong, disciplined, elite, modern armed force with a modern, dual-use defense and security industry; have a guaranteed national information infrastructure system... Complete and improve the quality of training of specialized cadres to ensure national security, meeting the requirements of political theory, professional qualifications, and application of science and technology. Clearly identify that in the current context, digital transformation is an inevitable trend in the world, promoting digital transformation must be associated with ensuring security for Vietnam to make a breakthrough in the new era./.

----------------------

(1) Professor, Dr. To Lam: Digital transformation - an important driving force for developing productive forces, perfecting production relations, bringing the country into a new era, Electronic Communist Magazine , September 2, 2024, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/media-story/-/asset_publisher/V8hhp4dK31Gf/content/chuyen-doi-so-dong-luc-quan-trong-phat-trien-luc-luong-san-xuat-hoan-thien-quan-he-san-xuat-dua-dat-nuoc-buoc-vao-ky-nguyen-moi
(2) See: Chris Wiltz: “5 Ways Cyber-Physical Systems are Transforming Manufacturing”, February 14, 2014, https://www.mddionline.com/equipment/5-ways-cyber-physical-systems-are-transforming-manufacturing
(3) See: Dan Milmo and Agency, “ChatGPT reaches 100 million users two months after launch”, February 2, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/02/chatgpt-100-million-users-open-ai-fastest-growing-app
(4) See: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/3d-printing-market#:~:text=The%20global%203D%20printing%20market,forecast%20period%202023%20to%202032
(5) See: Klaus Schwab, “The fourth industrial revolution: what it means, how to respond”, January 14, 2016, https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/
(6) See: Adib Farhadi, Ronald P. Sanders, and Anthony Masys, eds. The Great Power Competition Volume 3: Cyberspace: The Fifth Domain , Springer Nature, 2022
(7) See: Hai Anh: Cyberattacks via AI cause serious economic losses, Vietnam Financial Times , May 31, 2024, https://thoibaotaichinhvietnam.vn/tan-cong-mang-thong-qua-ai-gay-ton-that-kinh-te-nghiem-trong-151964
(8) See: Phan Anh: Experts worry about terrorists taking advantage of artificial intelligence, Tin Tuc Newspaper , September 1, 2024, https://baotintuc.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/gioi-chuyen-gia-lo-ngai-khung-bo-loi-dung-tri-tue-nhan-tao-ai-20240901203018287.htm
(9) See: Nguyen Van Thanh: National sovereignty in cyberspace - requirements to ensure security and safety indicators in the current context, Central Theoretical Council's Electronic Information Page , December 9, 2021, http://hdll.vn/vi/nghien-cuu---trao-doi/chu-quyen-quoc-gia-tren-khong-gian-mang---nhung-yeu-cau-dam-bao-cac-chi-so-an-ninh---an-toan-trong-boi-canh-hien-nay.html
(10) See: Charles Griffths: “The latest 2023 cyber crime statistics (updated April 2023)”, https://aag-it.com/the-latest-cyber-crime-statistics/#:~:text=Cyber%20Crime%20Overview,increased%20358%25%20compared%20to%202019
(11) See: Mariah St. John: “Cybersecurity Stats: Facts and Figures You Should Know”, updated August 28, 2024, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/it-and-tech/cybersecurity-statistics/
(12) See: Mai Chi: Protecting national sovereignty in cyberspace, Nhan Dan Electronic Newspaper , November 22, 2022, https://nhandan.vn/bao-ve-chu-quyen-quoc-gia-tren-khong-gian-mang-post726127.html   
(13) See Microsoft Security Endpoint Threat Report 2019, https://news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/43/2020/06/APAC-Threat-Landscape_Infographic.pdf
(14) See Ngan Ha, “26 common types of fraud in cyberspace: More than 72% are financial”, May 31, 2024, https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/phap-luat/26-dang-lua-dao-thuong-xuyen-tren-khong-gian-mang-hon-72-ve-tai-chinh/20240531015253579
(15) See: Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW, dated September 27, 2019, of the Politburo, on “Some guidelines and policies to proactively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan.vn/he-thong-van-ban/van-ban-cua-dang/nghi-quyet-so-52-nqtw-ngay-2792019-cua-bo-chinh-tri-ve-mot-so-chu-truong-chinh-sach-chu-dong-tham-gia-cuoc-cach-mang-cong-5715
(16), (17) See: Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo, on “Breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation”, https://tulieuvankien.dangcongsan.vn/he-thong-van-ban/van-ban-cua-dang/nghi-quyet-so-57-nqtw-ngay-22122024-cua-bo-chinh-tri-ve-dot-pha-phat-trien-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-chuyen-11162

Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/quoc-phong-an-ninh-oi-ngoai1/-/2018/1076002/tac-dong-cua-cuoc-cach-mang-cong-nghiep-lan-thu-tu-doi-voi-van-de-bao-dam-an-ninh-quoc-gia-tren-khong-gian-mang-o-nuoc-ta-hien-nay.aspx