“MB Bank’s Vice President Showcases the Talents of an Unsung Hero Team: The Elite Squad of ‘Ethical Hackers’ Protecting Over 30 Million Customers, Even Tricking Senior Leaders in the Process.”

Mr. Vu Thanh Trung, Vice Chairman of MB, revealed that the bank currently serves over 30 million account holders and is a leader in terms of transaction volume and digital banking app users. As a result, ensuring security is a key pillar and core value of MB’s digital strategy.

To achieve this goal, MB has a clear focus on talent development, especially in the field of cybersecurity. The bank’s cybersecurity strategy comprises two critical components: defending the bank and protecting its customers. This approach considers both offensive and defensive measures.

In terms of defending the bank, MB has built a well-trained cybersecurity team that participates in ongoing training programs and holds relevant certifications. Adhering to the 70-20-10 standard, 70% of their training is practical and scenario-based, 20% is learned from the job, and 10% comes from formal training programs.

Mr. Trung also emphasized the importance of offensive measures. MB has a specialized team dedicated to finding vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors within the bank and its subsidiaries. This team is trained to think like attackers and proactively identify any weaknesses in MB’s service provision and new product development processes, including those of the broader MB Group.

According to Mr. Trung, MB values imaginative and unconventional thinking in these teams. Formal qualifications are not the primary consideration; instead, the bank seeks individuals with strong practical skills and a talent for identifying vulnerabilities, whether in the bank’s systems or customer behaviors.

When it comes to protecting customers, MB employs a two-pronged approach: education and technology. On the educational front, the bank provides ongoing guidance, training, and communication to raise awareness among its millions of customers about digital safety measures. However, Mr. Trung acknowledged the challenge of keeping customers apprised of evolving scamming techniques.

Technologically, MB’s app proactively scans customers’ devices for spyware upon login. Additionally, the bank works closely with the State Bank to monitor accounts for suspicious activity or associations with fraudulent activities. MB also analyzes customer behavior, alerting them to potential security breaches if unusual access patterns or IP addresses are detected.

To further strengthen customer protection, MB has a dedicated team that regularly devises strategies to deceive customers, based on MB’s products and services. This team has successfully tricked even high-ranking executives during initial testing phases, demonstrating their effectiveness.

According to MB’s leadership, both offensive teams require a unique mindset. The bank seeks individuals with practical expertise and a high level of creativity in uncovering vulnerabilities, whether in the bank’s systems or customer behaviors. Formal qualifications take a back seat to these essential skills.