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Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City has shortened the time for goods clearance by using an automatic airway management and monitoring system. — Photo:nld.com.vn

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Customs has shortened the time for goods clearance at the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport by using an automatic airway management and monitoring systems at two warehouses.

The TCS warehouse is managed by the Tân Sơn Nhất Cargo Service Joint Stock Company and the SCSC warehouse by the Saigon Cargo Service Joint Stock Company.

Bùi Lê Hùng, head of Tân Sơn Nhất Airport’s Custom Department, said the system would greatly reduce the time and necessary procedures for businesses and airlines to deliver goods.

The city’s Customs Department worked with representatives of SCSC and TCS warehouses to implement the plan.

Last year, Hà Nội’s Nội Bài International Airport began using the system after more than a two-year trial implementation.

A survey of enterprises by the General Department of Customs found that the VASSCM system helped save about 2.5 hours per shipment when completing procedures for importing goods through the Nội Bài airport. — VNS

Tran Phuong Hong, IT Advisory director, KPMG Tax and Advisory Vietnam and Do Kim Hien, senior solution consultant, KPMG Tax and Advisory Vietnam

In Vietnam, we have had vast opportunities in conducting SWIFT system security gap assessment projects for Vietnamese banks, and there are best practices that clients should consider while implementing and securing the system according to a SWIFT Customer Security Control Framework (SWIFT CSCF).

The SWIFT CSCF describes a set of mandatory and advisory security controls for users. Mandatory security controls establish a security baseline for the entire community and must be implemented by all users on their local SWIFT infrastructure. The SWIFT has chosen to prioritise these mandatory controls to set a realistic goal for near-term, tangible security gain, and risk reduction.

Advisory controls are based on good practice that SWIFT recommends. Over time, mandatory controls may change due to the evolving threat landscape, and some advisory controls may become mandatory.

All controls are articulated around three objectives: ‘Secure your Environment’, ‘Know and Limit Access’, and ‘Detect and Respond’. Controls have been developed based on SWIFT analysis of cyber threat intelligence and in conjunction with industry experts and user feedback. Control definitions are also intended to be in line with existing information security industry standards.

SWIFT CSCF version 2021 has defined 31 security controls (22 mandatory and nine advisory controls) that underpin these objectives and principles. The controls are intended to help mitigate specific cybersecurity risks that users face due to the cyber threat landscape. Within each security control, SWIFT has documented the most common risk drivers that the control is designed to help mitigate.

Addressing these risks aims to prevent or minimise undesirable and potentially fraudulent business consequences, such as unauthorised sending or modification of financial transactions; processing of altered or unauthorised SWIFT inbound transactions; business conducted with an unauthorised counterparty; and confidentiality or integrity breach of business data, computer systems, or operator details.

Ultimately, these consequences represent enterprise-level financial, legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.

Common violations

During the gap assessment for the SWIFT system, we have noticed a number of common issues that financial institutions often violate compared to SWIFT CSCF requirements.

Firstly, the network micro-segmentation for applications and SWIFT systems is not carried out clearly and completely. For example, email or active directory applications still have common connections to the SWIFT system.

Secondly, security policies and procedures (for example security vulnerability management procedure, and malware prevention procedure) are not detailed, accurate, or aligned to the current situation of the system.

Next, system hardening guidelines/standards are not fully and completely developed, and they are not periodically reviewed and updated. Additionally, the security vulnerability scanning is only conducted on important applications and servers. For network devices, virtualisation platforms, or databases, the scanning is almost ignored.

Finally, the password policy is only applied to Windows servers and not applied on network devices, security devices, or Unix/Linux platforms.

In order to fully assess the security controls of the SWIFT environment, the following important points should be noted.

Understanding client’s SWIFT architecture: The current architecture of SWIFT is divided into four types – A1, A2, A3, and B. Each architecture has a difference in components and the connection from the client to SWIFT. So, understanding each type of architecture will help you identify the scope and assess the relevant systems involved that may affect the security of the SWIFT environment.

Understanding security controls: SWIFT’s security controls are only applied to a certain scope – SWIFT systems and indirect infrastructure related to it. You need to be aware of connections and determine which scope would apply security controls to avoid assessing unnecessary components that are outside the scope.

Understanding mandatory and advisory controls: SWIFT’s security controls are divided into mandatory and advisory controls. Depending on the requirements of the customer and the scope of the assessment, you should decide which controls should be reviewed and evaluated in the most appropriate way.

Understanding the objective of each control: SWIFT CSCF 2021’s security controls are divided into eight groups. Understanding the objective of each control makes it easier to identify alternative controls if they exist and avoid misjudging the customer’s current security level because during the assessment, it is realised that customers could use different security controls than required by SWIFT and still meet the final objective and ensure the safety of the system.

Understanding purpose and role of SWIFT components: SWIFT includes many components with different roles such as messaging interface, communication interface, SWIFTNet Link, connector, and more. These components connect, interact, and have mutual security relationships. Therefore, understanding the roles and functions of each component helps you determine which security controls are appropriate for which component, thereby assessing most accurately and effectively for potential risks.

As international transactions and commerce become more popular, SWIFT becomes one of the important components of financial institutions, especially banks. Therefore, its security needs to be paid close attention to properly minimise fraud in international transactions, protect user data, and safeguard the reputation of the organisation.

By Tran Phuong Hong, IT Advisory director and Do Kim Hien, senior solution consultant, KPMG Tax and Advisory Vietnam

Then Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attended and delivered remarks at an open debate of the UN Security Council in addressing climate-related risks to international peace and security, which was held in the form of video conference on February 23, 2021. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam for the second time assumed the role of rotating President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure this month, thus making a new and important imprint in the process of transforming from a participant to an active and proactive UN member.

VN grows up in UN

Thirty years after Việt Nam joined the UN on September 20, 1977, the country was elected for the first time as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2008-2009 tenure in the first secret ballot round in October 2017, with 183 votes of approval out of 192 General Assembly members participating in the ballot, or 96 per cent.

During its first tenure at the UNSC – the UN’s most important body in maintaining international peace and security – Việt Nam and other UNSC member states handled a large workload with more than 1,500 meetings, passed 113 Resolutions and 165 Presidential Statements and Press Statements on 50 agenda items, and dealt with complex issues regarding Kosovo, Iran’s nuclear programme, and Middle East peace, as well as those relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Myanmar.

Việt Nam made active and comprehensive contributions, from delivering speeches, participating in the making of resolutions and documents, assuming the posts of Chair or Vice Chair of several subcommittees, holding the post of UNSC President in July and October 2009, chairing negotiations for the council to approve Resolution No 1889 on women, peace, and security, and providing ideas to build the council’s Annual Report in a more practical and comprehensive manner.

“Việt Nam was on the UNSC 10 years ago in the 2008-2009 tenure,” said Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator. “It played an important role, contributing to a resolution on women, peace, and security which I think was a landmark resolution in the UNSC. Việt Nam has also been increasing its role in global peacekeeping.”

On June 7, 2019, Việt Nam was once again elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2020-2021 tenure, with 192 votes in favour out of 193 UN member nations.

The country’s election as a UNSC non-permanent member twice in just a short period was an important milestone in it transforming from a participant to an active and proactive member.

“This was the second time over the last more than 10 years that Việt Nam has been voted as a member of the UN body with a leading role in maintaining global peace and security, proving the international community’s recognition of its improving position as well as trust in its responsible contributions to regional and international peace and security in the coming years,” said then Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

Promoting multilateralism, respecting international law

Joining the UNSC for the second time amid complex developments in the world, Việt Nam has effectively implemented activities relating to the UNSC, completed the heavy workload in the first year of the tenure, and created its own imprint at the UNSC.

The country has actively proposed initiatives and played a leading role in several important issues.

While holding the UNSC Presidency in January 2020, Việt Nam successfully chaired an open debate on upholding the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security, and the first-ever meeting on cooperation between the UN and ASEAN, which combined the country’s dual role as UNSC non-permanent member and ASEAN Chair in 2020, thus helping enhance ASEAN solidarity and role and strengthening connectivity between the regional bloc and the UN and the UNSC.

In that month, the council held about 30 meetings and adopted 13 decisions, including four resolutions and one decision on extending UN missions, forces and mechanisms, one Chairman Statement, five press statements, and two press releases.

Ambassador Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents at the UN that Việt Nam had done a good job despite formidable challenges when it took up the presidency of the UNSC at the beginning of its tenure as a non-permanent member of the council.

Việt Nam really left an imprint with the open debate on the 75th anniversary of the UN Charter, particularly in the context of mounting tensions in the UN as well as in the world, he added.

As a coordinator of the ten current non-permanent members (E10), in May 2020 Việt Nam actively resumed the annual meeting mechanism, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, between the E10 and the UN Secretary General via videoconference.

It chaired a dialogue between the E10 and the five newly-elected non-permanent members (I5) with the theme “Joining Efforts for an Effective UNSC: Best Practices and Experiences for Elected Members” and an International Conference on Women, Peace and Security.

“Việt Nam fulfilled its duties as a non-permanent UNSC member in the first year of its membership, achieved set targets, and proactively and actively contributed to UNSC operations,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung.

The success gained in the first half of the 2020-2021 tenure is a firm foundation for Việt Nam to create more imprints in the second half and complete a successful tenure, contributing practically to maintaining regional and international peace and security and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development. — VNS

Seafarers wear protective clothing. — Photo vinalines.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has asked the Government to add seafarers and maritime workers to the list of frontline workers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

This agency also requested the Government to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help Vietnamese crew members who stuck abroad return home on repatriation flights.

Vietnamese seafarers who are quarantined in concentrated isolation areas should be prioritised at an affordable cost, the MoT said in the written request to governments and People’s Committees of provinces and cities.

At the end of March, leaders of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a joint statement calling on United Nations member states to put seafarers and crew members at the head of the vaccine queue to facilitate safe travel between countries.

In a letter sent to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nguyễn Xuân Sang, Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Deputy Secretary-General of the IMO Vietnam, asked IMO to prioritise COVID-19 vaccinations for sailors regardless of their nationality.

Sang proposed that IMO member countries include maritime workers on their priority lists , administering the vaccines to sailors and maritime workers on vessels that dock at ports under their management.

The Vietnam Shipowners’ Association the move is to keep nation supplied with vital goods and contributing to the recovery and stabilisation of the economy.

Volunteers injected with made-in-Vietnam COVID candidate vaccine

Six volunteers on Monday received the second shot of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, COVIVAC.

These people were injected with the first shot of COVIVAC, Việt Nam’s second candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, on March 15.

The vaccine was developed by Nha Trang-based Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC).

Ninety-six volunteers have been had been given the first shot in the first phase of COVIVAC’s clinical trials, according to Phạm Thị Vân Anh, director of Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, Hà Nội Medical University.

There were no serious reactions after 24-hours and 7-days in the volunteers.

Reactions were expected, mostly mild symptoms such as pain at the injection site and headache.

It is expected that the first shot of COVIVAC vaccine’s test will be completed on April 18 for 120 volunteers. — VNS