Stock trading data leak: Financial industry faces 'digital attack'

Experts warn that without an effective cybersecurity “shield,” the securities industry could lose critical data and reputation at a worrying rate.

According to the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC), by the end of September 2025, Vietnam will have more than 11 million securities trading accounts of individual and institutional investors.

Stock data - hackers' "gold mine": Need a cyber security shield immediately (Illustration photo).

A report from Viettel Cyber Security Company (VCS) shows that the financial industry - including securities, insurance and banking - accounts for 41.18% of all fraud, counterfeit and cyber attack cases.

Mr. Le Quang Ha - Deputy Director of Viettel Cyber Security Company - affirmed: "Data is an asset, a strategic resource, but it can be replicated, so it is more difficult to protect than other types of assets. The risk of leakage is always high. Statistics show that more than 40% of data leaks come from third parties, 11% come from fourth parties, so data interconnection and connection also pose many potential challenges."

Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan - Director of the Training Center (Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention - A05, Ministry of Public Security - warned that: in the securities sector, financial data is the most sensitive form of data, from transactions, fluctuations to asset growth. If not protected, personal data will become a "gold mine" for cybercriminals, leading to the risk of exploitation, invasion of privacy and property.

Mr. Vo Anh Trung - Head of the Technology and Digital Transformation Department (State Securities Commission) - said that the most worrying weakness today is the situation of data leakage and leakage in the management of listing, trading and information disclosure data. "Attackers not only target the trading system, but also personal data and transaction data of investors, causing serious financial and trust damage. In addition, there are many difficulties such as technology not being updated regularly, lack of high-quality human resources, vulnerabilities from third parties and limitations in the ability to respond when incidents occur."

Many securities companies have not yet fully invested in information security systems. Mr. Vu Ngoc Son - Director of NCS Cyber Security Company - said that the main reasons leading to attacks and data theft come from technical vulnerabilities (slow patching, lack of supervision), human factors, complex supply chains that depend on third parties, international legal differences and lack of investment in cybersecurity.

To protect the stock data system, experts proposed groups of solutions including: regularly updating and patching software; applying multi-factor authentication (MFA); building an AI-based abnormal transaction monitoring system to control risks; conducting periodic security audits and assessments of partners and third parties; and training employees to raise awareness of cybersecurity.

On the management side, the State Securities Commission is perfecting its institutions, issuing regulations and standards on electronic transactions; requiring market members to strictly comply with information security standards; conducting periodic checks and timely patching of security vulnerabilities. At the same time, the agency also organizes in-depth training and seminars to improve the capacity of technical staff; and deploying the Centralized Security Monitoring System (SOC).

Notably, Notice No. 552/TB-VPCP dated October 13, 2025 of the Government Office concluded at the Fourth Session of the Government Steering Committee on Science , Technology Development, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Project 06 that: "That means, ensuring information security is no longer an option, but a mandatory legal obligation for businesses".

As the Vietnamese stock market prepares to be upgraded in January 2026, expected to attract large capital flows from abroad, the amount of financial data will increase sharply and become a fertile target for cybercriminals. Building a “digital shield” is not only a need, but has become a vital factor to maintain trust and stabilize the market.

Nguyen Bach

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nhan/lo-du-lieu-giao-dich-chung-khoan-nganh-tai-chinh-dung-truoc-cuoc-tan-cong-so/20251022050548315