No longer a distant forecast: Deepfake, malware, and sophisticated fraud have become tangible risks for businesses

On April 15, the forum “Safe Digital Future for Small and Medium Enterprises” was organized in Hanoi by the Vietnam Cyber Security Journal, the official publication of the National Cyber Security Association (NCA), with support from the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Asia Foundation in Vietnam.

Purpose: implementing the 2026–2030 SME digital transformation plan

The forum was designed as a practical event to implement the newly approved “Digital Transformation Program for SMEs for 2026–2030.” The program aims to support at least 500,000 SMEs, including 300,000 that will apply digital technology, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence.

Small and medium enterprises account for 97% of all enterprises, contribute 20% of GDP, and provide 80% of jobs in the private sector. Organizers said these figures underline the strategic importance of SMEs as both an economic pillar and a driver of employment stability, creativity, and dynamism in the digital economy.

Cybersecurity challenges for SMEs

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Vu Duy Hien, Deputy General Secretary and Chief of Office of the NCA, said many businesses are moving into the digital environment with limited resources, a lack of technology personnel, insufficient suitable tools, and limited experience in risk response. He added that cyber threats in cyberspace are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex.

“A cyber incident is not simply a technical issue; it can directly affect a company’s reputation and survival,”

he emphasized.

Shift from technical cybersecurity to governance and strategy

According to the forum, an important change in enterprise awareness is underway: moving from treating cybersecurity as a purely technical matter to adopting a governance-oriented, strategic approach.

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong, Vice Chairman of VCCI, said assessments from the Vietnamese business community show growing concern about safety in cyberspace. As digital technology becomes the operating backbone of businesses, he said, digital safety is a condition for enterprises to participate in operations and achieve sustainable development in the digital economy.

He also noted that cybersecurity risks are no longer purely technical. They can hinder business existence and growth capacity, and a single incident can erase years of progress in a short time.

“Technologies such as Deepfake, next-generation malware, or sophisticated fraud are no longer distant forecasts or latent risks; they have become tangible threats that can cause significant losses and erode trust and market reputation,”

Mr. Phong said.

Government view: cybersecurity as a strategic requirement

From the government’s perspective, Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan—Deputy Director of the National Cyber Security Department and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), Ministry of Public Security, and Head of the Data Security and Personal Data Protection Working Group of the National Cyber Security Association—said safe digital transformation for SMEs is not only an economic requirement but also a strategic issue linked to digital sovereignty, national prestige, and sustainable economic growth.

In an environment where data, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence increasingly shape enterprise competitiveness, the forum said cybersecurity is no longer a purely technical problem. It is presented as a core condition to sustain operations, protect market trust, and strengthen a company’s position in the value chain.

Initiative launch to support SMEs

Within the framework of the forum, a launch ceremony for an initiative to support SMEs took place. Organizers said the event marks a new step in connecting government agencies, professional associations, the press, and domestic and international partners to accompany enterprises in building a safe, reliable, and responsible digital environment.