National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año and Minister To Lam of the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security discusses measures to pursue a robust security cooperation during the NSC-MPS Bilateral Meeting, held at the sides of President Marcos’ state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam on Jan. 29, 2024. (photo: NSC)

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo M. Año is pushing for collaboration with Vietnam on cybersecurity, including protection of digital infrastructure and information systems being used by the government agencies in the country amid incidents of hacking in the past.

The issue was discussed during the meeting of Año and Vietnam’s Minister on Public Security General To Lam at the sidelines of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s State Visit to Hanoi.

“On cybersecurity, NSA Año proposed exchanging views and collaboration on cybersecurity, especially with regard to capacity building and protecting digital infrastructure, platforms, data, and network,” the statement from the National Security Council read.

“The NSA particularly raised his interest to know of Vietnam’s effort to create a safe and regulated cyberspace, and how Vietnam is reinforcing the protection of its national sovereignty in various areas of cyberspace, including digital infrastructure, platforms, data, national cyber infrastructure, and information systems used by party and state agencies,” it added.

Several government websites and information system platforms were hacked in the past , the recent case involved data Philhealth which raises doubts on the capability of the Philippines to secure all its databases.

Cybersecurity is just one of the issues tackled by Año and Lam.

The two officials also had the chance to discuss terrorism and transnational crimes, which includes the proposal of Año for information and intelligence exchange as one of the areas where cooperation on counter terrorism can be pursued.

“As an initial activity, the NSA raised the possibility of conducting exchanges of views on each countries’ anti-terror laws and cooperating on simulation exercises to determine the best practices in the application of legal measures vis-a-vis extra-territoriality and border issues,” the NSC statement read.

The discussion expanded to include smuggling, human trafficking, robbery at sea, hijacking and kidnap for ransom, wildlife trafficking, firearms trafficking and smuggling of illicit goods.

Año said the Philippines and Vietnam may pursue cooperation to strengthen border controls and security measures, including port security in strategic locations.

In the same meeting, Año urged Lam to look into the possibility of working together with the Philippines on strengthening coordination in the implementation of

initiatives, particularly those at the level of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting (ADMM).

These include the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure, Guidelines for Maritime Interaction, and the Guidelines for Air Military Encounters, which has

annexes including “Observing Existing Aviation Conventions and Rules,” “Safe and Professional Communications,” “Standard Flight Procedures,” and “Encouraging Mutual Trust and Confidence in the Air.”

Año also expressed his optimism for the early conclusion of the proposed Philippines-Vietnam Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Provision of Mutual Logistic Support as a way for both countries to mutually advance their respective defense and security capabilities.