Vietnam to join the global wave of passwordless authentication

Challenges and innovation requirements for authentication methods

The VinCSS Internet Security Services Joint Stock Company, in cooperation with the Authority of Information Security (AIS) at the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and the IEC Group, held the “Vietnam Goes Passwordless Roundtable” on July 13 both online and in-person. In attendance were Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung, representatives from the State Bank of Vietnam, the Government Cipher Committee, and many enterprises.

In his opening address, Deputy Minister Dung emphasized that strong authentication is one of the most important foundations for businesses, key IT systems, and digital services to develop, in which businesses and organizations need to keep their focus on end-users and apply strong, international-standard authentication technologies like FIDO2 passwordless authentication to minimize the risk of fraudulence and phishing in cyberspace.

Mr. Can Van Luc, Chief Economist at BIDV and Head of the BIDV Training and Research Institute, raised the problem of simultaneously improving the customer experience and ensuring information security for organizations. As the multi-tasking and multi-function of a solution are important factors worth investing in, authentication technology is expected to not only be a solution to help ensure safety but also provide a comfortable and satisfying user experience that increases the competitive value of businesses.

Launching the first “Make in Vietnam” strong passwordless authentication ecosystem in ASEAN

The “Make in Vietnam” passwordless authentication ecosystem, VinCSS FIDO2 Ecosystem, was also officially launched. This is the first international FIDO2-standard passwordless authentication ecosystem in ASEAN. The VinCSS FIDO2 Ecosystem includes seven groups of solutions, in which four have been FIDO2-certified by the FIDO Alliance (World “Fast IDentity Online” Alliance). The Ecosystem is a source of pride for VinCSS after more than two years of research and development and also affirms Vietnam’s abilities in security technology.

According to Mr. Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director of the FIDO Alliance, over the past three years it has fulfilled its mission of communicating and supporting research and development activities and applying FIDO2-standard passwordless authentication solutions in Southeast Asia, in which VinCSS is a pioneer and been collaborating with FIDO to bring passwordless authentication closer to users and businesses.

With experience in implementing FIDO2-standard authentication solutions globally, Mr. Joon Hyuk Lee, APAC Market Development Director at the FIDO Alliance, said passwordless authentication helps enhance product performance, such as providing a convenient user-friendly experience, quick and easy deployment, easy integration between systems and devices, and applicability at scale.

Protecting and facilitating the national digital transformation program

Developing digital applications and services is one of the strategic activities within Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation Program. However, the more expanded and convenient the features of digital solutions are, the more risk of cyber attacks users may face. In that context, passwordless authentication promises to help businesses ensure both safety and integration factors for optimal performance and convenience of products or systems.

Passwordless authentication technology has great potential not only to help businesses grow but also to protect other aspects of digital transformation, such as digital government and digital society. During the discussion session, when asked about whether VinCSS plans to build broader cooperative mechanisms with multi-sectors, Mr. Do Ngoc Duy Trac, CEO of VinCSS, said that in addition to providing solutions and services for businesses, VinCSS is ready to sponsor and support the public sector and other “Make in Vietnam” platforms to integrate with strong passwordless authentication technology.

Deputy Minister Dung also affirmed that MoIC would welcome more businesses actively seizing opportunities, investing in research and development in the latest technologies, and becoming recognized by the international community, to contribute to national digital transformation and confirm Vietnam’s ability to master advanced technologies.