Viettel’s security firm triumphs at world cyber-attack contest
Viettel Cyber Security Company, a subsidiary of Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, triumphed at the Pwn2Own 2021 contest - one of the world largest cyber-attack competitions – which was held virtually by Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) on April 7 and 8.
The Pwn2Own 2021 contest is held virtually. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Viettel Cyber Security Company, a subsidiary of ViettelMilitary Industry and Telecoms Group, triumphed at the Pwn2Own 2021 contest -one of the world largest cyber-attack competitions – which was held virtuallyby Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) onApril 7 and 8.
This was the second time the Viettel Cyber Security Company has attended thecontest, aiming to affirm its pioneer and leading role in the field ofinformation security in Vietnam while learning experience from foreign experts.
ZDI described this year’s event as one of the largest in Pwn2Own history, with23 separate entries targeting ten different products in the categories of WebBrowers, Virtualisation, Servers, Local Escalation of Privilege, and EnterpriseCommunications.
The contest aimed to detect security vulnerabilities in smart devices so thatmanufacturers can immediately fix them, thus helping to keep client informationsafe.
The Viettel team targeted Windows 10 in the Local Escalation of Privilegecategory. It used an integer overflow in Windows 10 to escalate from a regularuser to SYSTEM privileges. This earned them 40,000 USD, and four points towardsMaster of Pwn.
Targeting Microsoft Exchange in the Server category, the team successfullydemonstrated their code execution on the Exchange server, helping them get 7.5Master of Pwn points./.
As an ASEAN member state, Vietnam commits to actively and responsibly joining regional cooperation mechanisms to ensure security and safety of cyber space, said Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang.
Vietnam has to date mastered about 90 percent of the ecosystem of cyber security products serving Party and State agencies, and is likely to be one among few countries mastering 100 percent of the ecosystem, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung has said.
Defence ministers of ASEAN and Japan on December 10 agreed to embark on a project to strengthen cyber security as the world is increasingly relying on online communication channels since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
The Viettel Cyber Security Company (VSC), a subsidiary of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel), has become a member of the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).
With its own capabilities and the close, experienced partnership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vietnam is well-positioned to pursue its first nuclear power plant that meets the highest international safety standards. Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna, Austria, talked to the Vietnam News Agency about the country’s deepening cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in applying nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
The Pwn2Own 2021 contest is held virtually. (Photo: VNA) 
