During this process, alongside the core forces participating in the Central Steering Committee for Science and Technology Development, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, the cipher force plays an especially important role.
The important role of the cipher force
We met Le Quang Tung, Deputy Head of the Department of Cryptographic Technical Management, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Academy of Cryptography Techniques (April 15, 1976–April 15, 2026), the institution responsible for training key personnel in cryptography and information security for the country.
According to Tung, over more than 80 years of construction and development (1945–2026), the cipher force has directly participated in protecting the national digital infrastructure in many important sectors and key areas, such as protecting secret information of the Party and State, and information on direction, command, and operation of Party and State leaders at all levels from the central to local levels using cryptographic codes; deploying digital signature service systems, including public digital signatures and specialised digital signatures for official use; and civilian cryptography; and cybersecurity monitoring. Its involvement in these fields has increasingly affirmed the cipher force’s core role in ensuring digital trust and contributing to a safe and sustainable national digital transformation process.
The Government Cipher Committee participates in the support team for the Central Steering Committee for Science and Technology Development, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. At the same time, implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, the Government Cipher Committee has been assigned numerous tasks, including those related to the deployment of two-tiered local government, ensuring the security of confidential documents and data from the central level to 3,321 communes and wards. Currently, the two-tiered local government largely operates on an electronic platform, so all electronic transactions, management decisions, and data streams connecting from the central level to the grassroots level need to be authenticated to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of secret information and data of the State.
Practical experience from national-scale digital transformation programmes in recent years has further highlighted the importance of cipher work, including the implementation of Project 06 on developing applications of population data, identification, and electronic authentication, and Project 175 on building the National Data Centre. These are important programmes aiming to establish the country’s digital data infrastructure, creating a foundation for online public services, e-commerce, digital finance, and many other essential sectors.
In addition, in response to the requirement to protect State secrets, safeguard national sovereignty, and maintain the Party’s leadership role in new conditions, the Secretariat issued Directive No. 57-CT/TW on December 31, 2025, on strengthening cybersecurity, information security, and data security within the political system. The directive reflects the Party’s strategic vision and special attention to the task of protecting national data security in the digital era.
In the field of innovation, Tung noted that the central authorities have assigned the Government Cipher Committee tasks related to advanced cryptography and post-quantum cryptography. At a working session on May 21 with the Standing Board of the Central Steering Committee for Science and Technology Development, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasised the need to recognise quantum technology as a national strategic issue rather than merely a scientific research matter. He called for quantum technology development to be integrated into the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and the national development strategy in the new era, linked to national security, national data, the semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, the Government Cipher Committee will soon conduct research and submit a proposal on post-quantum cryptography development for the Prime Minister’s consideration and approval.
According to Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Department of Party and Government Cipher, as data becomes a new national resource, the requirement for safety and security has reached an unprecedented level.
“Electronic identification and authentication systems, as well as data security systems, must ensure an extremely high degree of reliability. Any vulnerability could directly affect the leadership and administration of Party and State agencies, the rights and interests of tens of millions of people, and the operation of the digital economy,” he said. Therefore, if digital infrastructure is the “backbone” of digital transformation, security is the “shield” protecting the operation of the entire system. Each digital platform and each database must be designed with security requirements incorporated from the outset.
Determined to enhance capabilities and fulfil assigned tasks
In the context of cyberspace becoming an increasingly complex environment of competition and confrontation, Nguyen Van Toan, Deputy Head of the Department of Politics and Organisation, said the first and greatest challenge for the cipher force is the rapid development of AI, cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things. The development of quantum computing in the future will also have a major impact on existing cryptographic algorithms. The second challenge is the need for high-quality human resources, requiring the development of personnel who possess both strong political qualities and excellent professional expertise, and considering this a long-term, strategic task. The third factor is time pressure, as national digital transformation is being implemented rapidly, extensively, and synchronously across all sectors. Each new information system and database must be protected from the design stage. This requires the cipher force to become involved early and proactively, ensuring that information security always stays one step ahead.
In response to these new requirements, Toan noted that while Viet Nam already possesses a relatively comprehensive mechanism and policy on State secrecy protection and cybersecurity compared with many countries, the key issue is effective implementation.
The Government Cipher Committee aims to continue enhancing research capabilities and mastering cryptographic technologies, notably through the development and publication of the Vietnamese block cipher algorithm (MKV). It is also focused on designing, manufacturing, and producing a wide range of advanced cryptographic, security, and information safety products and solutions with high scientific and technological content for important information systems of the Party and State, while strengthening cooperation with ministries, sectors, and localities in ensuring information security for digital platforms.
At the same time, training and developing human resources in cryptography and information security remain priorities. Awareness of information safety and security within agencies, organisations, and society as a whole also needs to be strengthened, as information security is not only the responsibility of specialised forces but a shared responsibility of the entire system.
Leaving the campus of the Academy of Cryptography Techniques after the conclusion of its 50th anniversary celebration, many stories about the silent work of the cipher force remained with us. The challenges posed by technology, human resources, and time are significant, but they also serve as motivation for the cipher force to continue innovating, enhancing its capabilities, and successfully fulfilling its missions, thereby contributing to firmly safeguarding national sovereignty in cyberspace and creating a secure and trustworthy foundation for the country’s sustainable development in the digital era.
