Vietnam has confirmed a significant cyberattack on the National Credit Information Center (CIC), the country’s central credit bureau, warning that a major breach of personal data may have occurred. The Vietnam Cyber Emergency Response Center (VNCERT) detected the intrusion on September 10 and has since launched an emergency response.
The CIC, which operates under the State Bank of Vietnam, collects and manages credit information for millions of individuals and businesses to support lending decisions across the nation’s financial system. The scale of the data breach is still under investigation, but preliminary results show “signs of intrusion aimed at stealing personal data,” according to a government statement. A hacker group known as “ShinyHunters” has claimed responsibility for the attack and is reportedly attempting to sell a database containing over 160 million records on a darknet forum for a price of $175,000.
In response to the incident, authorities are coordinating with the central bank and major cybersecurity firms, including Viettel and VNPT, to contain the breach, verify its scope, and secure the credit center’s systems. VNCERT has also issued a strict warning to the public, cautioning against downloading, sharing, or exploiting any leaked data. Violators will face legal action.
The warning also extended to banks and other financial institutions, urging them to immediately strengthen their cybersecurity protocols and ensure compliance with national standards. Cybersecurity experts are advising Vietnamese citizens to be vigilant against potential scams, phishing attempts, and identity theft that could arise from the leaked information.
This latest cyberattack is a reminder of the growing digital security challenges facing Vietnam, following other recent incidents. A cybersecurity specialist, Ngô Minh Hiếu, noted that while the CIC does not store critical data like credit card numbers or passwords, the breach of credit histories and other personal information could have significant implications for individuals and the country’s financial stability.