Currently, with the rapid development of information technology, cyberspace plays a very important role in the development of countries around the world, including Vietnam. However, hostile forces, reactionaries, and political opportunists are thoroughly taking advantage of cyberspace to inflict their sabotage on our Party, State and Army by many malicious, sophisticated and cunning tricks to promote "self-evolution", "self-transformation" in the field of political ideology in the Party and Army.

Cyber force acts as the core force to protect national sovereignty in cyberspace and the national information system, who are tasked with collecting information about the enemy in cyberspace; conducting information and cyber warfare; protecting the information systems for command, control, and operation of weapons, military networking facilities, national defence and critical information infrastructure, and fighting against the "peaceful evolution" plots in cyberspace to protect Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, the Party's lines and views, and the socialist regime.

The 86 Command conduct a work review at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

As the first force, engaging with subversive arguments of hostile forces in cyberspace every day and every hour, if they don't stay alert or analyse the information in a scientific, true, sensitive manner, they will be prone to the "trap" of peaceful evolution of hostile forces easily, and "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" internally. Therefore, it is necessary to nurture a strong political will, an "iron will", and the immunity to all subversive plots as well as the impact of negative manifestations in society.

Building political steadfastness for the cyber force is all activities of all levels of party committees, party organisations, leaders and commanders at all levels in order to make their officers and soldiers independent and creative, master their political behavior in the face of turning points and complicated situations in politics, and perform their assigned tasks to their best. This activity includes: raising awareness capacity, enhancing the understanding of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, goals and ideals of the Party, and the tasks of the cause of national renewal, construction, defence, and international integration; cultivating the steadfastness with the goals, ideals and socialist path; improving the capacity of self-training and self-cultivating in practice in terms of morality, personality, working methods and working skills; strengthening the will, thoughts to fight with deviations and wrongdoings; the immunity against the negative and material temptations of the market economy as well as the tricks and plots of "peaceful evolution" of the hostile forces; preventing and countering "self-evolution", "self-transformation", etc.

To accomplish the above contents, it is necessary to synchronously perform the following requirements and solutions:

Firstly, strengthening political education and ideological orientation for the cyber force. This education is aimed to strengthen the firm belief of the cyber force in the revolutionary ideals of our Party and People; in the path to socialism and in the leadership of the Party; make them strongly believe in Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought and aware that the immediate difficulties are only temporary, and the negatives in society are only phenomena; uphold their patriotism, pioneering role and readiness to take on new and difficult tasks, and do not hesitate in the struggle to protect the Party, Fatherland, the regime and the People; develop a worldview and a scientific methodology that recognise, analyse and evaluate the issues in cyberspace as well as in social life, and the conspiracies and sabotage of hostile forces in a comprehensive, historical, and specific way.

Party committees and leading cadres at all levels of the force should thoroughly grasp and implement the annual plan of political and ideological education; pay attention to strengthening troop’s awareness about task requirements in the new period; clarify the objectives and tasks of national construction and defence in cyberspace against fierce opposition of hostile forces. At the same time, they should select forms and measures of political education and ideological management for cadres and soldiers in a practical and effective manner in order to enhance their "self-immunity and self-resistance" against the negative and adverse effects. Pay attention to fostering the contingent of political and ideological educators, especially the specialised ones in terms of quantity, quality, structure, capacity, professional expertise and skills, working methods and style. Ensure the facilities and materials for political and ideological education activities in order to contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of these activities.

Secondly, promoting the positivity, self-training and self-practice to improve the political steadfastness of the cyber force. Self-study, self-training are important contents in the cultivation of political steadfastness for cyber force, and the main and direct method for this force to improve their political quality, ethics, expertise and working capacity to meet the requirements of the task of Fatherland protection in cyberspace. Educating and practicing revolutionary morality, promoting the exemplary role in order to strengthen their "resistance" to the offensive plots and tricks of the enemy and the manifestations of internal "self-evolution" and "self-transformation". Cadres and party members should promote their responsibilities before the Fatherland, the people and themselves; regularly conduct self-cultivation and self-training to foster their internal driving force, orienting their activities in the process of learning, research and training in order to satisfy the needs for knowledge, developing the necessary qualities and competencies to meet the requirements of practice. Party committees and presiding cadres should encourage and make it easy for the cyber force to strive and train in all environments and circumstances, ensuring that they are not only enthusiastic in work but also highly capable and ready to handle situations arise. This is the basic measure for the political steadfastness of the cyber force to be enhanced and confirmed in practice.

Third, combining political education with training, constantly improving the technical and tactical levels, the proficiency in operating weapons and equipment of the cyber warfare force. Increasing their training and experience in difficult and complex situations and tasks is a fundamental solution to practice their endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness in the face of external influences. Cyberspace is a special theatre where our troops are often exposed to wrong and hostile views. If they do not stay alert and firm, they will be easy to fluctuate, and prone enticement, hence failing to accomplish their tasks. Practice shows that the political steadfastness of the cyber force is best shown when they are challenged in harsh environments and complex situations. The more difficulties and challenges they face, the more their political steadfastness and firmness are shown. Therefore, together with political education, it is necessary to implement the regulations, regimes, principles and guidelines of training, exercises and practice according to the requirements of cyber warfare; strengthen training, challenge soldiers in tactical, campaign and strategic situations. Actively train skills and practice reconnaissance to improve the level of cyber warfare, promptly remove, prevent, and neutralise the sabotage of hostile forces.

Fourth, regularly improving the living standards of the cyber force. Practice shows that living standards, both materially and spiritually, always affect and influence all aspects of human activities. Therefore, improving their living standards will help the cyber force to work enthusiastically, and stay immune to the incitement and sabotage of hostile forces. It can be seen that in the past time, the Party, the State and the Army have paid great attention to the cyber force, but a number of regimes and policies specific to this force are still in the process of research and development, so it is necessary to accelerate this procedure for implementation. On the other hand, party committees and commanders at all levels need to ensure correct, sufficient and timely remuneration packages for the force as prescribed to make them dedicated to their work, keep their spirit and vigilance high against all conspiracies and tricks in cyberspace.

Lieutenant General HO VAN DUC, Political Commissar of the 86 Command