The Fourth Industrial Revolution is advancing rapidly with breakthroughs in various cyber-related fields, creating both opportunities and challenges to the mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and interests in cyberspace for the entire Army in general and High Command 86, in particular. To ensure the successful fulfilment of the assigned functions and tasks, one of the essential demands placed upon the Unit is to prioritise the development of a workforce capable of meeting the requirements and tasks.

The specificity of the cyber warfare mission is that the adversary is highly complex, both “tangible” and “intangible”. Personnel in cyber warfare units operate with a high degree of independence, constantly facing strong influence from the challenges of cyber warfare, and so on. This places very high demands on the qualities and capabilities of personnel tasked with cyber warfare missions in general, and at High Command 86 in particular. This article proposes some solutions to build a workforce capable of successfully executing the task to protect national sovereignty in cyberspace, avoiding passivity and surprise in all situations.

Firstly, to intensify propaganda efforts to create a strong transformation in the awareness and responsibility of organisations and forces involved in building the workforce to meet the requirements of cyber warfare. Given the unique nature of cyber warfare units, both in general and at High Command 86 in particular, being relatively new and having limited human resources, they must carry out warfare in a vast and invisible cyberspace, facing various difficulties and challenges. Meanwhile, the methods and means of warfare in the cyber environment have yet to be fully developed. Therefore, building the workforce, starting with propaganda efforts to create a strong transformation in the awareness and responsibility of organisations and forces involved in building the workforce of the Unit, is of top priority. To achieve this, the Party committees, leading cadres, and functional agencies at all levels should intensify propaganda efforts to deeply disseminate the Party’s views on the Strategy to protect the Fatherland in cyberspace: “Focusing on building and investing in enhancing the capabilities of the revolutionary, regular, sophisticated, and modern Cyber Warfare Forces, making them the core one in protecting the national cyberspace sovereignty”. There should be a correct understanding of the role and importance of human resources, the necessity, advantages, difficulties, and obstacles in building the workforce to meet the requirements of cyber warfare and information technology assurance. To be effective, organisations and forces need to diversify and closely combine the content, forms, and methods of political and ideological education for all target groups. Moreover, it is essential to tightly link annual political education with proactive and timely orientation of ideology, raising awareness and responsibility of organisations and forces in building the workforce to meet the requirements and tasks. Simultaneously, there should be a vigorous renewal and improvement of the quality of activities of Party organisations, mass organisations, and military councils at each agency and unit and a resolute struggle to overcome any misconceptions or deviations related to the role and position of human resources or expressions of indifference and irresponsibility, viewing the building of human resources solely as the responsibility of political agencies and political cadres. This will create a comprehensive strength and smooth coordination of organisations and forces in the process of building a workforce for cyber warfare.

Secondly, to leverage the role of Party committees, organisations, and leading cadres at all levels. The Party committees, organisations, and cadres in leadership positions are the direct authorities responsible for guiding, directing, and developing human resources. This is a continuous and long-term task and responsibility for Party committees, organisations, and leading cadres at all levels, both in general units and within High Command 86, playing a pivotal role for the entire Army. Accordingly, the Party committees, organisations, and leading cadres at all levels should thoroughly grasp and strictly adhere to superiors’ resolutions related to personnel work, with a particular focus on the following: Resolution No.769-NQ/QUTW, dated December 21^st, 2012, of the Central Military Commission on “Building the Military cadre contingent for the 2013 - 2020 period and beyond”; Resolution No.109-NQ/QUTW, dated February 11^th, 2019, of the Central Military Commission on “Building Military cadre contingent, especially at the campaign and strategic levels, to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation”; and Resolution No.29-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Safeguarding the Fatherland in Cyberspace and the Cyberspace Warfare Command’s Charter. Based on these guidelines, leadership and direction should be closely monitored. Moreover, proactive research and recommendations should be made to superiors regarding the principles, content, and methods of developing human resources that are relevant to the practical needs and tasks of their respective agencies and units. Throughout the implementation process, leadership and command at all levels should provide clear guidance, delegate tasks, and set specific targets and timelines for developing human resources. Attention should be given to ensuring the quality, quantity, and proper composition of the contingent of cadres and non-commanding officers. It is essential to emphasise key areas and issues where the Party committees and organisations should focus their efforts to ensure effective leadership, avoiding vague and ineffective directives. Each agency and unit should establish and rigorously enforce regulations on personnel work. Regular assessments, evaluations, and timely adjustments to the direction, methods, and solutions in personnel development should be carried out. Additionally, cadres in leadership positions should take personal responsibility, actively study, discuss, and reach a consensus on the issues requiring leadership attention. They should proactively engage in educational and training activities for the soldiers and provide favourable conditions for activities related to developing human resources for cyberspace warfare.

Thirdly, to create a democratic working environment and effectively implement various policies and regulations. The Party committees and cadres in leadership positions within the units under High Command 86 must strictly implement the regulations on grassroots democracy and harness collective wisdom in building and stimulating initiative, creativity, and flexibility within the military for conducting training, exercises, and cyberspace warfare missions. There should be a close integration of Party building with the development of a democratic, healthy cultural environment, emphasising learning and following Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts, ethics, and style. Simultaneously, there should be active and proactive efforts to combat any signs of political, ethical, or lifestyle degradation among cadres, Party members, and any manifestations of “self-evolution” or “self-transformation” within the organisation. This is to ensure that everyone and every organisation matures and develops. The Party committees, cadres in leadership positions, and relevant agencies should enhance dialogue with cadres, Party members, and the general public to listen to their thoughts, aspirations, and legitimate needs to propose appropriate solutions. Timely recognition, commendation, and praise should be given to individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements in fulfiling their tasks, and resolute measures should be taken to address individuals who are not actively engaged in self-improvement through learning and training. This will contribute to building a positive and ethical cultural environment, creating a healthy and transparent working, learning, and training atmosphere within the unit.

The activities of personnel engaged in cyberspace warfare are always in a high state of combat readiness, with a high level of intellectual labour and great psychological stress. They frequently come into contact with the negative aspects of society, as well as the influence and agitation of hostile forces. Therefore, the Party committees and commanders at all levels should have a strong grasp of and strictly adhere to the policies and regulations set forth by the Party, State, and the Army. Simultaneously, research and proposals for reforms and improvements in policies and mechanisms, especially in terms of welfare, recruitment, employment, incentives, and talent development, should be carried out to enhance the positive, creative, and responsible attitude, professional competence, and professional ethics of cyberspace warfare personnel. They should also determine specific approaches to address material and spiritual aspects for personnel in their units. Specific criteria and standards should be established for implementing policies tailored to each group, especially policies and mechanisms specific to special task forces, to attract and retain capable individuals and experts in cyberspace warfare activities.

Finally, to closely integrate training and development with self-training and self-improvement for the cadres, staff, and soldiers. Currently, the Army has yet to build a specialised training institutions for cadres and staff involved in cyberspace warfare. Therefore, authorised levels and functional agencies should base their decisions on the situation and the tasks of cyberspace warfare, as well as the capabilities of military academies and institutions, to coordinate training with civilian educational institutions. This should include a focus on developing and improving programmes, content, and flexible forms and methods of collaboration in training. There should be an emphasis on expanding international cooperation to provide advanced training and development in scientific and technological mastery for the personnel involved in cyberspace warfare and information technology security assurance. The training should concentrate on specialised skills, malware analysis, in-depth reconnaissance, and theoretical topics related to politics, law, and more. Close coordination between academic training and practical training should be emphasised, integrating combat training with development, training, and practical exercises, especially various forms and methods of simulated exercises. This approach will enhance the competency and technical proficiency of the soldiers, enabling them to meet the demands of cyberspace warfare and high-tech warfare in the new era.

For cadres, staff, and soldiers involved in cyberspace warfare, particularly within High Command 86, a proactive and positive attitude towards self-training and self-improvement is crucial. They should continually enhance their political awareness, comprehensive skills, specialised expertise, and deep knowledge to fulfil their assigned duties and responsibilities. Creating a self-learning and self-improvement plan is essential, allowing them to select appropriate content, methods, and approaches that are feasible, scientific, and focus on critical areas. They should also be resolute in combating tendencies towards laziness in learning, resistance to training, subjectivity, complacency, and conservatism.

Facing the increasing demands and responsibilities in safeguarding the Fatherland in cyberspace, the Party committees and commanders at all levels should research and flexibly apply various solutions to build a human resource pool with characteristics such as “smart, streamlined, robust, rational, coherent, and specialised”. This force should always exhibit qualities of “loyalty, discipline, intelligence, and effectiveness” and be a core force ready to fight and achieve victory in any situation, ensuring the steadfast protection of the nation’s independence and sovereignty in cyberspace.

Major General, Dr. NGUYEN MINH THANG, Commissar of High Command 86, and Lieutenant Colonel, NGUYEN HUU THANG, Head of the Personnel Division, High Command 86