“The Steel Flower” on the front lines of the fight against cybercrime. | #cybercrime | #infosec

The work-family balance point

PV: Hi, if you were to briefly describe a typical workday, where would you begin?

My day usually starts quite early. Besides preparing for my family, I review professional tasks, update myself on cybersecurity issues, and monitor ongoing cases. The nature of work in this field is continuous, with many unexpected situations arising, so I need to always be prepared to handle them.

Interviewer: From what you’ve shared, it seems your schedule is quite packed. For you, what is the most stressful time of the day?

Perhaps the most challenging times are when you have to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, especially when you need to meet professional deadlines while also attending meetings, reporting, or coordinating with other agencies. The greatest pressure lies not only in the workload but also in the need to react quickly, handle situations promptly, and remain alert and timely in all decisions, especially in cases and situations requiring adherence to political, legal , and professional requirements.

PV: On a day like that, how do you usually manage to spend time with your two children?

Luckily, my children understand the nature of my work and have gradually gotten used to accompanying me to the office since they were young. Especially on weekends, the three of us mostly “meet up” at my workplace. Even so, I try to maintain fixed time slots for them, even if they’re not much. It might be in the morning on the way to school or I try to make the most of the time I can to chat and read with them before bedtime.

PV: In such situations, what do you usually prioritize to maintain balance on both sides?

Balancing work and family is no easy feat. With only 24 hours in a day, I believe the most important thing is proactively and flexibly managing both work and family life. Clearly defining priorities for each task at any given time is crucial. When work demands a lot, family provides emotional support, allowing me to focus on completing my tasks. Conversely, when I return home, I try to set aside work pressure to create a joyful and peaceful atmosphere and dedicate my full attention to my family.

“The war without gunfire” in cyberspace.

Interviewer: In your unique work environment, where you are constantly exposed to large amounts of complex, even harmful, information online, how do you maintain your composure and clear thinking to direct and handle situations effectively ?

Given the unique nature of our work, being at the “front lines” in protecting national security in cyberspace, my colleagues and I face a massive volume of malicious, distorted, and subversive information from various sources every day. This is truly a “war without gunfire,” but one that is incredibly challenging and complex, as the perpetrators are mostly highly educated, possessing deep knowledge of technology, politics , and society, and their subversive tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

To stand firm amidst the “storm” of information, I do not allow myself to lower my guard or be complacent for even a moment. Always maintaining a clear professional principle and a firm political stance, the field of cybersecurity demands that officers not only possess high expertise but also the ability to control emotions, think objectively, and remain clear-headed in the face of all information flows.

PV: We understand that, in addition to your professional work, you are also a very enthusiastic and energetic Vice President of the Women’s Association at the grassroots level, actively advising on and organizing the Association’s activities. Furthermore, you are involved in many high-intensity cases. How do you usually manage your work and time to effectively handle all these roles?

Many colleagues have asked me, “How do you always stay so optimistic and energetic?” or “What’s your secret to effectively handling multiple tasks simultaneously?”… Actually, successfully fulfilling multiple roles cannot rely solely on individual effort. In carrying out assigned tasks, I always strive to work scientifically, plan meticulously, and make the most of my available time. But perhaps more important is the close attention and encouragement from the Department’s leadership and the spirit of unity and support from the leadership, officers, and soldiers of Department 3. I am just a small member of our team.

I am inspired by my leaders and colleagues. In an environment where people are wholeheartedly dedicated to their work, I don’t allow myself to be complacent. From leaders to officers, we all stay up all night analyzing, evaluating, and connecting data, finding the links in major cases involving the fight against individuals using cyberspace to violate national security—extremely complex situations. In critical situations, all officers and soldiers rush to grasp and assess the situation, providing timely advice on how to handle it to stabilize the situation… These are the daily motivations that drive me to constantly strive, to live fully with my love for the profession, my responsibility, and my dedication to serving the nation and the people.

Through the movement and work of the Women’s Union, I have also been inspired by the enthusiasm of my colleagues. Fortunately, we are a team that understands and loves each other, so everyone wants to work together and stay united… In a team with so many favorable conditions, my role is very small: to listen to the directives of superiors, to listen to the thoughts of my colleagues, to gather and connect everyone’s enthusiasm… to create many practical programs that are suitable for the unit’s specific tasks, contributing to making the Women’s Union of the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department one of the most courageous, intelligent, and pioneering organizations in the digital age.

PV: In the achievements, how do you think the role of the collective, the unit, and the coordination between forces have been demonstrated?

Protecting national security in cyberspace is a strategic and urgent task, and the responsibility of the entire Party, the entire people, the entire army, and all levels and sectors . This is not only the work of specialized forces such as the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department, but also requires the proactive participation of every individual and organization to protect digital sovereignty , cybersecurity, and social order and safety.

In this field, there are no individual successes. Every case solved, every law enacted, every work achievement is the culmination of the collective intelligence and effort of the team. This makes me always consider the agency as my second home.

I have always believed that the greatest strength of the People’s Public Security Force lies in its spirit of unity, discipline, and the ability to closely coordinate among its various forces to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People.

It’s not about becoming “steel,” but about learning to compromise.

Interviewer : Besides work and family, you’ve also been continuously pursuing your studies. What helps you maintain the discipline to sustain that pace for such a long time?

Perhaps it’s because I’ve always believed that in the field of cybersecurity, if you stop learning, you’ll easily fall behind and fail to meet the job requirements in the new environment. Learning isn’t just about improving expertise; it also helps me broaden my perspective, refine my thinking, and adapt to the rapid changes in technology today. Discipline sometimes doesn’t come from pressure, but from a conscious desire to constantly improve myself and a wish to contribute more value to society every day.

PV: May I ask an unrelated question? I understand you were very good at literature and dreamed of becoming a teacher. So, what transformed a girl with a dreamy, seemingly fragile soul into a “steel woman” on the front lines of combating cybercrime? In other words, looking back, how do you think the police environment, especially the field of cybersecurity, has changed you?

I used to be a rather dreamy girl, who loved books, literature, and enjoyed teaching. Although I’m now in a different profession, literally “the profession chose me,” I’m always grateful and feel fortunate with my current situation.

The environment of the People’s Public Security Force in general, and the field of cybersecurity in particular, with its disciplined and standardized nature, has forged and tempered my character and ability to withstand high pressure, meeting the demands of the new situation. And perhaps the biggest change is not that I have become “steeler,” but that I have learned to balance firmness in my work with flexibility in my life, so that I feel I am living a meaningful life for myself, my family, and especially for my country.

PV: At this point, what makes you feel that you are on the right track with your chosen path?

I always feel fortunate and grateful for my current situation. I am fortunate to work in a leading, core, and key unit responsible for protecting national security and digital sovereignty in cyberspace – a unit that is both disciplined, elite, and modern. I am able to work wholeheartedly alongside my fellow officers and soldiers, including those with very specific responsibilities in cybersecurity that not every unit is assigned by the Party and the State. I am fortunate to have an environment where I can always strive to uphold the qualities of a female police officer: “courageous, humane, responsible, and dedicated,” overcoming difficulties and pressures, and successfully completing assigned tasks with the spirit of “ most disciplined – most loyal – closest to the people.”

PV: Thank you!

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/bong-hoa-thep-tren-mat-tran-phong-chong-toi-pham-mang-2382608182325599.htm