The National Cybersecurity Center (A05) under the Ministry of Public Security has revealed that three leading Vietnamese news agencies were recently targeted in a sophisticated cyberattack.

The breach, discovered in April 2025, resulted in the theft of internal data and posed severe risks to national security, according to Lieutenant Colonel Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of A05.

Growing threats to press freedom and national security

A05 emphasized the need for media organizations to urgently bolster cybersecurity measures to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences. Newsrooms, due to their constant exposure to various digital tools - ranging from computers and memory cards to networks and cloud storage - face an elevated risk of breaches, said Nguyen Van Han, Deputy Head of Business at VNPT’s Information Security Center.

Compounding this vulnerability is the use of unsecured or pirated software, especially free AI, photo, and video tools on personal devices, which may harbor malware capable of hijacking systems or stealing credentials.

News agencies, if compromised, not only suffer economic losses but may also lose credibility and unknowingly publish false narratives, endangering national interests.

Shared vulnerabilities and targeted attacks

Han noted that many Vietnamese news outlets operate on shared technology platforms provided by a few domestic firms. This centralization, while cost-efficient, exposes them to cascading risks - one breach can compromise multiple outlets due to common vulnerabilities.

According to VNPT data, newly discovered software vulnerabilities in Vietnam rose 64% in 2024. This spike coincided with a 60% increase in cyberattacks, a 26% surge in leaked accounts, and a 1.6-fold rise in fake domain names.

Globally, cybercrime is projected to inflict $9.4 trillion in losses in 2024, rising to $10.5 trillion in 2025. News organizations, as repositories of sensitive political, social, and economic information, are now high-value targets for cybercriminals.

Motivations behind the attacks

Cybercriminals are no longer just targeting celebrities or multinational corporations. According to experts, hackers now deliberately aim at journalists and media institutions to:

Steal confidential data
Implant ransomware
Launch supply chain attacks via third-party partners
Spread disinformation
Conduct targeted phishing schemes

The ultimate goal is often to disrupt public trust, mislead readers, or exert influence during politically sensitive periods.

Strengthening defenses

Cybersecurity experts stress that editorial teams must take an active role in safeguarding their organizations. Training programs on cybersecurity awareness should be extended to all reporters, editors, and even newsroom executives.

Han urged news outlets to avoid complacency: “Media organizations play a vital role in shaping public opinion. If compromised, they risk becoming tools of misinformation.”

The Vietnamese press is being called upon not just to secure its own operations, but also to elevate public awareness of digital threats. Only with a proactive, united front - combining technological defense with internal vigilance - can the media fulfill its mission safely in the digital age.

Thai Khang