Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình calls on training programmes to foster the capacity of network security experts and information system operators. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI – The amount of hi-tech crimes has risen by 21.6 per cent in the first six months of the year, according to a report by the Ministry of Public Security.

The figure was announced at an online conference on enhancing control on crimes and human trafficking, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình and Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm.

According to the report, the country has seen a rise in crimes involving the internet and social networks, including fraud and the dissemination of images and text and software used against the Government and State to trigger social disorder.

Minister of Public Security, Tô Lâm, said the country was facing large-scale difficulties in network security. "While there are firms working in network security, there’s a lack of management mechanisms in these firms, resulting in difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of their services," he said.

Besides, due to limited capacity in the IT sector, enterprises and organisations often leave it to the service providers to take care of network security systems. This creates a large loophole in network security, according to the minister.

“If we only focus on developing the network and the number of people using the network without paying proper attention to network security, we will have to face huge risks of hi-tech crime,” he added.

The leader of the public security ministry also said that management of online businesses, games and the abuse of the internet for gambling faced certain challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình said network security was an urgent problem for the country, mentioning the recent cyber attacks on Vietnam Airlines’ websites last month. He asked relevant agencies to strengthen co-operation to boost network security capacity and cope with threats of cyber attacks.

Bình also called on training programmes to foster the capacity of network security experts and information system operators.

Regarding human trafficking, the rate has decreased by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year, with 147 cases involving 351 victims.

Human traffickers have taken advantage of the country’s openness policy and integration and set up rings to bring people abroad for prostitutions, illegal marriages and forced labour.—VNS