Austria – Viet Nam Cybersecurity Forum (Hybrid)
5 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria
Venue: Wiedner Hauptstraße 63 1045 Vienna, Austria
Time: 08:30 – 12:30 (Lunch 12:30–13:30)
Growing sophistication of cyberattacks has elevated cybersecurity from a technical issue to a central pillar of international stability. As digital transformation accelerates, the resilience and security of transnational infrastructure have become essential to safeguarding sovereignty. This need has grown even more urgent as dependence on interconnected systems and massive cross border data flows exposes countries to new vulnerabilities. International cooperation is therefore indispensable for strengthening cross border cybersecurity cooperation.
Cybersecurity has become a critical national priority for Viet Nam. In 2024 alone, Viet Nam recorded over 13,000 cyberattacks, including nearly 1,800 classified as serious. Ransomware incidents and data breaches surged, with estimated damages exceeding 800 million USD, while phishing campaigns and supply chain vulnerabilities exposed systemic weaknesses. In response to the cybersecurity challenge, Viet Nam established Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, under the Ministry of Public Security. The Department leads national efforts to protect information systems and combat cybercrime. Complementing this is the National Cybersecurity Incident Response Alliance (NIRA), a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes intelligence sharing and coordinate incident response across sectors.
Against this backdrop, Viet Nam hosted a landmark cybersecurity event in Ha Noi on 25 October 2025, bringing together delegations from more than 110 countries for the Signing Ceremony and High Level Conference of the UN Convention against Cybercrime. As a follow-up, Viet Nam is working actively with the UNODC and regional partners in promoting initiatives that facilitate the implementation of the Convention, especially in the field of capacity building for developing countries.
Austria plays a prominent role in advancing global cybersecurity cooperation, supported by its world class technology sector and dynamic innovation ecosystem. The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), the country’s largest non university research institution, leads major EU funded initiatives such as SPARTA and CONCORDIA, which focus on threat intelligence, secure data sharing, and AI driven risk mitigation. Through its Secure Society Unit, AIT has developed cutting edge solutions for critical infrastructure protection. These capabilities position Austria as a strategic partner for Viet Nam, particularly in institutional capacity building, technology transfer, and collaborative innovation.
In the context of rising cyber threats and expanding opportunities for international cooperation, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Austria, together with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), the AIT, and Viet Nam’s FPT Corporation, is convening the Austria–Viet Nam Cybersecurity Forum, tentatively scheduled to be held on 7 May 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The Forum aims to generate concrete policy and business outcomes that deepen bilateral collaboration, strengthen institutional and technological capabilities, and support both countries’ contributions to global cybersecurity efforts.
Photo: Deputy Prime Minister NGUYEN Chi Dung delivers video message at the Austria-Vietnam High Tech Forum in 2025
TENTATIVE PROGRAM (as of 18 March 2026)
08:00 – 08:30 | Registration
08:30 – 08:45 | Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
•Mr. Michael OTTO, Director General of Advantage Austria, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)
•A relevant ministry of Austria
•H.E. VU Le Thai Hoang, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Austria
•H.E. Philipp AGATHONOS, Ambassador of Austria to Viet Nam
•Senior Official of Viet Nam’s Public Security
08:45 – 08:50 | Group Photo
08:50 – 09:50 | Session 1
Session 1: Cybersecurity in the Financial and Banking Sector. The rapid expansion of digital banking, online payments, and cross border financial services has made the financial sector one of the most attractive targets for increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Viet Nam’s recent surge in ransomware incidents, data breaches, and phishing campaigns underscores the urgency of strengthening cyber resilience to protect economic stability and public trust. This session examines emerging threats, regulatory approaches, and advanced technological solutions for securing digital finance, drawing on Austria’s expertise in secure identity systems, threat intelligence, and AI driven risk mitigation. By bringing together regulators, financial institutions, and technology leaders, the discussion will identify practical avenues for Austria–Viet Nam cooperation in fraud prevention, incident response, and capacity building.
Proposed Panelists (3): (To be identified and confirmed)
•AI Security Specialist, Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
•Raiffeisen Bank
•A representative of Ministry of Public Security (In charge of Banking and Finance)
Moderator: WKO (To be confirmed)
09:50 – 10:05 | Coffee Break
10:05 – 11:00 | Session 2
Cybersecurity for Critical Energy Infrastructure. As countries expand and modernize their energy systems, the cybersecurity of critical energy infrastructure has become a strategic priority. Interconnected operational technologies, digital control systems, and cross‑border energy networks expose power infrastructure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that could disrupt essential services and undermine national security. This session examines the specific cybersecurity requirements of energy systems, drawing on Austria’s expertise in anomaly‑detection technologies and EU‑funded critical‑infrastructure protection initiatives. It will identify opportunities for Austria and Viet Nam to cooperate on risk assessment, secure system architecture, and specialized capacity building to strengthen the resilience of Viet Nam’s future energy landscape.
Proposed Panelists (3): To be identified and confirmed
Austrian Power Grid (APG), or Federal Ministry for Climate Action (BMK), Digital Energy Systems
Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention of Viet Nam
EVN
Moderator: (To be identified and confirmed)
11:00 – 11:55 | Session 3
Cybersecurity for Smart Cities and Digital Public Services in the Era of Digital Transformation. This session will examine how Austria and Viet Nam can strengthen the cybersecurity of smart‑city systems and digital public services as both countries accelerate their digital transformation. With these platforms relying on interconnected sensors, cloud infrastructure, and real‑time data flows, participants will discuss the rising cyber risks facing urban services and government operations. The session will also address the implications of Viet Nam’s recent institutional reforms (e.g., as merging ministries and consolidating provinces) which require newly formed administrative units to integrate digital systems, harmonize data flows, and secure broader responsibilities. Discussions will focus on secure digital identity, data‑protection frameworks, IoT security standards, and incident‑response mechanisms for both national and local authorities. Austria’s experience with secure identity platforms and EU smart‑city cybersecurity standards will serve as a reference point for identifying practical areas of cooperation to help Viet Nam build cyber‑resilient institutions across its reorganized government landscape.
Proposed Panelists (3): To be identified and confirmed
Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW), Austria or City of Vienna (Wien Digital)
National Cybersecurity Incident Response Alliance (NIRA) of Viet Nam
FPT
Moderator: (To be identified and confirmed)
11:55 – 12:30 | Session 4: Pitch Presentation (Business-to-Business Session)
Cybersecurity talent shortages are a global challenge, impacting Austria, Viet Nam, and the wider international community. This session is designed as a platform for institutions to introduce themselves, highlight their strengths, and present opportunities they seek for collaboration and business partnerships. The focus will be on joint training curricula and certification programs, student exchange, cyber range exercises to strengthen practical skills, specialized training for law enforcement, incident response teams, and critical infrastructure operators, and sustainable workforce development models.
The panelists for this session are Ha Noi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Graz University of Technology, and Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria. Each institution will introduce who they are, their strengths, and the opportunities they seek.
Moderator: Mr. Markus HAAS, Director of Asian and Ocean, WKO
12:30 – 13:30 | Light Business and Networking Lunch
Registration to participate the Forum: Trade Counsellor DINH Thi Hoang Yen, email: trade@vietnamembassy.at before 15 April, 2026.
