Hanoi (VNA) – The NationalAssembly reviewed reports on the draft Law on State Secret Protection and Lawon Cyber Security during its fourth session in Hanoi on October 25. 

Speaking at theevent, Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen To Lam said more than 840 leaksof State secrets have been discovered since 2001, including many confidentialdocuments regarding the Party and State’s external policy and the settlement ofborder and island disputes.

This was partlyattributable to inconsistent legal regulations and weak deterrents, he said.

Several deputiesagreed with the draft’s proposal for State secret protection timelines, sayingthat secrets involving national security and interests should be kept for 50-60years.

Others proposedrevising Clause 1, Article 23 on the disposal of State secrets to ensurefeasibility.

Lam said amid the fourthindustrial revolution and global integration, cyber space has become an idealenvironment for plotters to attempt to sabotage the country’s political regime.

Chairman of the NACommittee for National Defence and Security Vo Trong Viet stressed the need toissue the Law on Cyber Security to protect national security and reflectVietnam’s responsibility in joining global efforts to counter terrorism.

He called for regulationson fighting cyber espionage and specifying responsibilities of ministries andagencies in the work.-VNA