Circular No. 161/2014/TT-BTC on the work of protecting state secrets in the finance sector

CIRCULAR

Article 24Regulations on the protection of state secrets in the finance sector.h

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WHEREAS, Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets No. 30/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 dated December 28, 2000;

Pursuant to Decree No. 215/2013/NĐ-CP dated December 23, 2013 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets;

WHEREAS, Decision No. 59/2013/QĐ-TTg dated October 15, 2013 of the Prime Minister on the list of top-secret and highly confidential state secrets in the finance sector;

WHEREAS, Circular No. 56/2013/TT-BCA-A81 dated November 13, 2013 of the Ministry of Public Security on the list of confidential state secrets in the finance sector;

WHEREAS, Circular No. 07/2012/TT-BNV dated November 22, 2012 of the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the management of documents, file establishment, and submission for archival storage;

WHEREAS, Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA (A11) dated September 13, 2002 of the Ministry of Public Security guiding the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Finance issues this Circular to regulate the work of protecting state secrets in the finance sector.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the work of protecting state secrets in the finance sector.

Article 2. Applicability

1. This Circular applies to agencies, units, organizations, and individuals within the finance sector.

2. In addition to complying with the provisions of this Circular, agencies, organizations, and individuals must strictly adhere to the regulations stipulated in the Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets, Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets, and Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA (A11) dated September 13, 2002 of the Ministry of Public Security guiding the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protection of State Secrets.

Article 3. State secrets of the finance sector

1. Information, documents, data, objects carrying state secrets listed in the List of Top-Secret and Highly Confidential State Secrets of the finance sector issued by the Prime Minister and the List of Confidential State Secrets of the finance sector issued by the Minister of Public Security (hereinafter referred to as secret documents) and related legal provisions.

2. Restricted areas and restricted locations in the finance sector are places where activities involving state secrets are conducted; they are established to protect, manage, and strictly control the activities of people and means to maintain order, security, and prevent acts of infringement, destruction, and collection of state secrets in those areas and locations.

Article 4. Persons involved in work related to state secrets in the finance sector

1. Persons involved in work related to state secrets in the finance sector must have good qualities, a sense of responsibility, discipline, vigilance in safeguarding state secrets; possess professional expertise, the ability to complete assigned tasks, and commit to protecting state secrets according to the model attached to this Circular. The commitment document shall be kept at the unit.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry are responsible for assigning persons involved in work related to state secrets at their units.

3. Ensuring state secrets and operational secrecy as prescribed by law and internal regulations of each agency.

1. Collecting, leaking, losing, appropriating, buying, selling, exchanging, or illegally destroying secret documents.

2. Transmitting information containing state secrets through telephones, radio transmitters, telegrams, fax machines, computer networks, the Internet, or other communication means without encryption as prescribed.

3. Providing secret documents or taking them out of the country to foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals, or using them for travel abroad without permission or authorization from authorized persons.

4. Copying secret documents; recording audio or video of information or images containing state secrets without permission from authorized persons.

5. Misusing the protection of state secrets to conceal violations of laws, infringing upon the lawful rights and interests of agencies, organizations, or individuals.

6. Using computers (including laptops) connected to the Internet to draft, type, or store secret documents; connecting devices storing state secrets to computers connected to the Internet.

7. Other actions violating the regulations on the protection of state secrets in the finance sector.

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1

PROTECTION OF STATE SECRETS IN THE WORK OF PREPARING,

CIRCULATING AND USING SECRET DOCUMENTS OF THE FINANCE SECTOR

Article 6. Drafting and Circulating Classified Documents Belonging to the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector

1. Based on the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector, the person drafting a document containing state secrets must propose the level of classification, and the proposed level of classification must be reviewed and signed off by the competent authority. The competent authority responsible for reviewing and signing off classified documents has the responsibility to decide on the stamping of the level of classification and the scope of circulation of state secret documents. For objects carrying state secrets (audio tapes, video discs, films, photographs, and other items with state secrets), there must be a written document clearly stating the name of the item attached and stamped with the level of classification on this document.

2. Documents containing state secrets must record the abbreviated name of the officer or civil servant assigned to draft the document and the number of copies issued in the section designated for distribution (section "Lưu" of the document). For example: “- Lưu: VT, Unit drafting (drafting person - number of copies)”. The person assigned to draft classified documents must set up a password protection code for the soft copy draft on the computer or other appropriate methods to protect state secrets in accordance with regulations.

3. When soliciting opinions on draft documents, the leading agency or unit drafting the document must specifically define the scope and targets (relevant agencies, organizations, individuals) whose opinions are required; classified document drafts must be stamped with the necessary level of classification before being sent out for comments. Agencies, units, and individuals receiving the draft must manage and use it strictly according to the level of classification indicated on the draft.

4. The drafting and typing of documents containing state secrets must be carried out at a location ensuring safety as stipulated by the head of the agency or unit directly managing classified documents. In special cases, when required, they must be drafted on systems and equipment that have been inspected and meet the conditions for ensuring safety and confidentiality.

5. Classified documents containing state secrets that have been signed off by authorized persons must be stamped with the appropriate level of classification upon circulation in accordance with regulations.

The leading drafting unit must attach a copy of the Memorandum to the Ministry (or Head of the Unit) or the proposed degree of classification already approved by the competent authority along with the original document for storage in the Ministry's or unit's archive department in accordance with regulations.

Article 7. Stamping Classified Documents Belonging to the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector

1. Classified documents must be stamped with the level of classification (Top Secret, Confidential, Secret):

a) Documents belonging to the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector at the levels of "Top Secret" and "Confidential" are promulgated by the Prime Minister, and the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector at the level of "Secret" is promulgated by the Minister of Public Security.

b) Documents quoting contents from classified documents of the Finance Sector or other sectors and fields. The determination of the level of classification for stamping must correspond to the level of classification of the quoted classified document.

2. The process of stamping the level of classification on classified documents and the models of stamps for different levels of classification, the model of stamps for recovered documents, and the model of stamps only for named individuals are specified as follows:

a) The ink used for stamping all types of stamps is bright red ink. The classification level stamp must be affixed to the top left corner of the first page of the classified document, including Appendices and Cover Letters (if any); the stamp for recovered documents is placed at the top right corner of the document in accordance with the provisions in Appendix II attached to Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNV dated January 19, 2011, of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

b) The models of confidential seals are implemented in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA (A11) dated September 13, 2002, of the Ministry of Public Security guiding the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002, of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protecting State Secrets.

3. Based on the situation of drafting classified documents belonging to the State Secrets List of the Finance Sector and the quantity of classified documents in other fields requiring study and handling, the head of the unit decides to equip a set of confidential stamps in accordance with this Circular and Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA (A11) dated September 13, 2002, of the Ministry of Public Security guiding the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002, of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protecting State Secrets. The unit's archive department is responsible for managing and affixing these types of seals according to the instructions of the unit head or the authorized authority determining the level of classification in accordance with regulations.

Article 8. Printing, Copying, Photographing Confidential Documents

1. The decision to print, copy, or photograph confidential documents within the Finance sector shall be carried out as follows:

a) For confidential documents drafted by the unit and submitted for issuance by the competent authority, the Head of the unit decides on printing, copying, or photographing confidential documents and bears responsibility for such decisions.

b) For confidential documents sent to the Ministry of Finance from other Ministries, sectors, units, and equivalent units located at localities:

- The Heads of the Ministry, the Office of the Ministry, the units under the Ministry, the units under the General Department, and equivalent units located at localities decide on printing, copying, or photographing Top Secret, Very Secret, and Secret level confidential documents.

- The Chiefs of Offices of General Departments and equivalent units decide on printing, copying, or photographing Very Secret and Secret level confidential documents.

2. Persons responsible for printing, copying, or photographing confidential documents may only print, copy, or photograph the approved quantity. After completion, they must check again, immediately destroy excess copies and defective prints, copies, or photographs. For confidential documents copied or photographed in tape, disc, and other storage devices, they must be sealed and stamped with the confidentiality level, clearly stating the name of the person who made the copy or photograph on the seal.

Article 9. Management and Use of Confidential Documents

1. When implementing confidential documents of the Finance sector, the Heads of agencies and units with confidential documents must inform individuals or departments directly responsible for implementation about the confidentiality level of the documents; persons assigned to handle confidential documents must not disclose the contents of the confidential documents to those without the responsibility to know.

2. When processing confidential documents, persons assigned confidential documents may not take them home privately. If urgent processing is necessary, they must report to the Head of the agency or unit for consideration and decision, and complete the procedure for working outside regular hours with the agency's Office or Security according to regulations.

In cases where staff must carry confidential documents for work trips, meetings, or take them home, approval from the Head of the agency or unit is required; absolute safety must be ensured during travel, stay, and at home; secure storage means must be provided. Others must not be allowed to view, damage, or lose the documents. If confidential documents are lost or damaged, penalties will be imposed according to the nature, extent, and consequences of the loss or damage as stipulated by law.

Upon completion of tasks, confidential documents must be handed over to the management department; the handover must be documented in detail and each party retains a copy.

Section 2

PROTECTING SECRECY IN THE TRANSPORTATION, HANDOVER,

STORAGE OF CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS IN THE FINANCE SECTOR

Article 10. Handover of Confidential Documents

1. All instances of handover of confidential documents between stages (drafters, typists, printers, clerical staff, couriers, responsible handlers, custodians) must be registered in the confidential document registry book and signed off by both parties; for documents marked Top Secret, the summary content cannot be recorded in the registry book except with permission from the authorized person. The format of the confidential document registry book is implemented according to Circular No. 07/2012/TT-BNV dated November 22, 2012, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the management of documents, file creation, and submission for archival storage.

2. The handover of confidential documents must be conducted directly at the workplace as prescribed by the Head of the agency or unit with confidential documents. Both parties must organize checks and comparisons to promptly identify and address any errors or losses.

Article 11. Issuance of Confidential Documents

1. Confidential documents before dispatch must be registered in the outgoing confidential document registry book; all columns and items must be fully filled in: number, code, date, recipient, summary content (except for documents marked Top Secret), quantity, confidentiality level, urgency level, recipient (signature, full name).

2. Confidential documents dispatched must not be mixed in the same envelope with ordinary documents. Envelope paper must be durable, difficult to peel, water-resistant, and opaque; adhesive must be strong and difficult to peel. Stamping of confidentiality levels on the envelope exterior is carried out according to Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA (A11) dated September 13, 2002, issued by the Ministry of Public Security guiding the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002, of the Government detailing the implementation of the State Secrets Protection Ordinance.

Article 12. Receiving classified documents

1. All types of classified documents from any source sent to agencies and units must be registered in the classified document receipt book by the clerical staff. In cases where software for managing incoming and outgoing documents on computers is used for tracking, such systems must not be connected to LAN (internal network) or the Internet, and must be transferred immediately to the responsible person for handling. The following columns and items must be fully recorded in the classified document receipt book: Number, code, date; summary of content (except for documents marked with "Top Secret"), level of confidentiality, urgency, recipient (signing name, full name).

2. If the classified document received has a seal indicating "only the named person may open," the clerical staff must register according to the number and code indicated on the envelope and transfer it immediately to the named recipient. If the named person is absent, it must be transferred immediately to the responsible person for handling, and the clerical staff must not open the envelope.

3. If classified documents are received without adhering to the proper security procedures, they must be transferred to the responsible person for handling, and the sender must be informed to learn from this experience. If signs of tampering, opening, exchanging, loss, or damage of classified documents are discovered, the recipient must prepare a report and immediately inform the Head of the agency or unit to take appropriate measures.

Article 13. Retrieval of Classified Documents

1. When sending or receiving classified documents marked for retrieval, units under the Ministry have the responsibility to urge their retrieval or return to the sender within the specified time limit. For classified documents marked for retrieval that were distributed at meetings, conferences, seminars, the units organizing these events must immediately retrieve them upon conclusion.

2. The Ministry's Office is responsible for monitoring and urging units to return classified documents assigned by the Ministry's leadership for research and use, but which must be retrieved as stipulated.

Article 14. Transporting Classified Documents

Classified documents must ensure absolute safety during transportation and handover as follows:

1. Transportation and handover of classified documents within the country must be carried out by personnel engaged in security work or dedicated liaison officers of the agency or organization. If transported via postal service, specific regulations of the Postal Service sector must be followed. Classified documents transmitted through telecommunications means must be encrypted using cryptographic keys.

2. Transportation and handover of classified documents between domestic agencies and organizations and those of the Vietnamese State abroad must be conducted by diplomatic liaison forces.

3. During transportation of classified documents, sufficient storage equipment and protective personnel must be provided to ensure safety throughout the process. Classified documents must be stored in secure metal boxes or bags with locks; during transportation, they must not be parked, stopped, or left anywhere if safety cannot be guaranteed. In all circumstances, a responsible person must carefully guard the documents to ensure absolute safety.

Article 15. Statistics, Storage, and Preservation of Classified Documents

1. Agencies and units storing classified documents must maintain statistics on classified documents in chronological order and by level of confidentiality.

2. Classified documents must be strictly stored and preserved in locked cabinets. "Top Secret" and "Highly Confidential" documents must be organized for storage in locations equipped with adequate facilities and means for preservation and protection to ensure safety. The location for storing classified documents is determined by the Head of the agency or unit holding such documents. In cases where classified documents are stored in electronic devices, information technology tools, and on telecommunication networks, they must be encrypted using cryptographic keys.

3. The Head of the agency or unit directly managing classified documents must regularly inspect and direct the statistics, storage, and preservation of classified documents.

Section 3

 PROTECTION OF SECRECY REGARDING PROHIBITED ZONES, PROHIBITED LOCATIONS, AND THE NETWORK

 OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE FINANCE SECTOR

Article 16. Prohibited Areas and Locations

1. Prohibited areas and locations must display signs "prohibited area" and "prohibited location" in accordance with Circular No. 12/2002/TT-BCA dated September 13, 2002, issued by the Ministry of Public Security to guide the implementation of Decree No. 33/2002/NĐ-CP dated March 28, 2002, of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Protecting State Secrets.

2. The head of the unit entrusted with managing prohibited areas and locations in the Finance sector shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of prohibited areas and locations; based on this Circular and other relevant regulations, the head of the unit entrusted with managing prohibited areas and locations shall be responsible for establishing rules for protecting prohibited areas and locations.

Article 17. Protection of Confidentiality Regarding Locations and Networks of Secret Document Storage Facilities in the Finance Sector

1. Do not disclose to individuals or agencies without responsibility the location of storage facilities, places where secret documents are kept; plans and schemes for fire prevention and extinguishing, locations of storage facilities, places where secret documents are kept; copies of diagrams, networks of storage facilities, and names of regions, central warehouses, and places where secret documents are stored.

2. Do not allow persons without responsibility to visit, survey, or take photographs or film regions, central warehouses, and places where secret documents are stored without permission from the Minister of Finance or the head of the unit directly managing those locations.

Section 4

PROTECTION OF STATE SECRETS IN INFORMATION DISSEMINATION, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CARRYING SECRET DOCUMENTS OUT OF THE COUNTRY

INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS AND CARRYING SECRET DOCUMENTS OUT OF THE COUNTRY

Article 18. Provision of Information Belonging to the List of State Secrets of the Finance Sector

1. When receiving requests from agencies, units, organizations, or individuals within or outside the country to provide information belonging to the list of state secrets of the Finance sector, finance officials and civil servants may not provide such information without authorization from authorized persons.

2. Approval and provision of state secrets of the Finance sector shall be carried out according to the following provisions:

a) Provision of information within the scope of state secrets to agencies, units, organizations, and citizens of Vietnam:

- Persons assigned the task of researching and collecting information within the scope of state secrets of the Finance sector must have a national identity card accompanied by an introduction letter and a document from the managing agency clearly stating the content, requirements for research and collection, purpose of use, and must obtain approval from the competent authority of the agency or unit storing the documents.

- Agencies, units, and organizations holding state secrets of the Finance sector when providing information within the scope of state secrets to agencies, units, organizations, and citizens of Vietnam must obtain approval from the competent authority according to the following provisions:

+ State secrets classified as "Top Secret" and "Highly Secret" shall be approved by the head of the agency or organization issuing the secret documents.

+ State secrets classified as "Secret" shall be approved by the Director-General of the Department, Bureau, General Department (or equivalent) at the central level and the Director of the Department (or equivalent) at the local level issuing the secret documents.

+ Agencies, units, organizations, and individuals implementing the provision must strictly adhere to the approved content. The recipient of the information may not disclose the information and may not provide the received information to others. The details of the session on providing information must be recorded in a detailed minutes report to be reported to the person who approved the provision of information and submitted to the confidentiality department of the agency or unit.

b) When interacting with foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals:

- Finance officials and civil servants when interacting or contacting foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals (in Vietnam and abroad) may not disclose state secrets generally and specifically those of the Finance sector.

- When implementing international cooperation programs or performing official duties, if there is a requirement to provide information within the scope of state secrets to foreign agencies, organizations, or individuals, the following principles must be adhered to:

+ Protect national interests.

+ Only provide information that has been approved by the competent authorities according to the following provisions: State secrets classified as "Top Secret" shall be approved by the Prime Minister; State secrets classified as "Highly Secret" shall be approved by the Minister of Public Security, except in the Defense sector where it shall be approved by the Minister of National Defense; State secrets classified as "Secret" shall be approved by the head or the authorized representative of the agency or organization at the central or local level issuing the secret documents.

+ When providing information, a record must be made, in which the recipient of the information must commit to using the information for its intended purpose and may not disclose it to third parties.

Article 19. Carrying Confidential Documents Out of the Country

1. Units, organizations, and individuals carrying confidential documents out of the country for work or scientific research purposes must submit to the approval of the Ministry's leadership. The application must clearly state the person carrying the confidential documents out of the country; the confidential documents being carried; the scope and purpose of use. Upon departure, they must present the permission document approved by the competent authority to the immigration management agency at the border checkpoint.

2. During the time abroad, measures must be taken to ensure absolute safety for the permitted confidential documents. In cases where information is provided to foreign organizations or individuals, it must be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 of this Circular.

Article 20. Protecting State Secrets in Communication Information

Financial sector agencies requiring the use of their own encryption must ensure compliance with the general regulations of the State. In cases where it is necessary to install and use wireless communication equipment (wireless telephones, radio), or build websites, registration and management by relevant agencies under the Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, and Information and Communications must be conducted according to the general regulations.

Section 5

DECRYPTING AND DESTROYING CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS

Article 21. Declassifying Confidential Documents

1. Declassifying confidential documents means removing the confidentiality level previously assigned to them. Declassification will only be considered when the disclosure of the document's content no longer poses a threat to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Principles, authority, procedures, and formalities for declassifying classified documents shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Government and the Ministry of Public Security.

3. For historical archival documents containing state secrets that have been declassified, the provisions of the Law on Archives and implementing guidance documents shall apply.

4. For archival documents containing state secrets submitted to the Central Party Archive and documents of the Central Party Archive, declassification shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Article 22. Destroying Confidential Documents

1. The destruction of declassified confidential documents shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Archives and implementing guidance documents.

2. In special circumstances where there are no conditions to organize the destruction of confidential documents as stipulated by current laws, if the failure to immediately destroy such documents would result in serious consequences for national security or defense or other interests of the State, the person managing the confidential documents may destroy them themselves but must report in writing to the competent authority (the head of the document management agency, the police agency at the same level) immediately thereafter. If self-destruction of confidential documents does not have a legitimate reason, the person who destroyed them must bear responsibility under the law.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 23. Reporting System

Heads of units under the Ministry shall strictly implement reporting systems in the following forms:

1. Immediately report to responsible agencies (document management agencies, police) about sudden incidents that harm state secrets; behaviors forming as notification, transfer, disclosure of state secrets in any form to unauthorized persons or foreign nationals who know state secrets. The report content must be detailed and specific regarding the incident details; simultaneously take measures to check, verify, recover, and prevent potential harms within the unit's management scope.

2. Submit annual interim reports and five-year comprehensive reports on the unit's state secret protection work to the Department of Legal Affairs of the Ministry for consolidation and submission to the Ministry for reporting to the competent authority.

3. Report the number of incoming and outgoing confidential documents of the agency or unit every six months before June 15 and December 15 each year, to the Ministry Office for consolidation and statistics, and to serve the reporting work to the competent authority.

Article 24. Rewards

Groups or individuals with any of the following achievements will be considered for rewards in accordance with the Law on Commendation and Reward and implementing regulatory documents:

1. Excellently completing the task of protecting state secrets as assigned.

2. Overcoming difficulties and dangers to protect state secrets.

3. Preventing and mitigating the consequences and impacts caused by the leakage, loss, theft, exchange, sale, or destruction of state secrets by others.

4. Timely detecting and reporting acts of probing, stealing, buying, selling, or illegally destroying state secrets.

5. Other outstanding achievements related to the protection of state secrets in the financial sector.

Article 25. Disciplinary Measures

Organizations and individuals violating the state secrets protection regime stipulated in this Circular and other legal documents on state secrets protection, thereby affecting the performance of the financial sector's political tasks or causing harm to national defense, security, economic, cultural, and social development, shall be subject to disciplinary measures or criminal liability depending on the nature and severity of the violation. If damage to property occurs, compensation must be provided according to the law.

Article 26. Material and Technical Bases for State Secrets Protection Work in the Financial Sector

1. Based on the characteristics, features, and circumstances of the agency or unit, the head of the agency or unit shall arrange separate areas or locations for printing, copying, and storing classified documents; allocate or submit to competent authorities for consideration the equipment, machinery, and information technology applications serving state secrets protection work (including safes, cabinets, computers, signs, seals; device and network security software as prescribed by the Law on Official Secrets; devices for storing and preserving confidential information; carriers of state secrets; protective and monitoring devices; security inspection labels; devices for destroying classified documents and carriers of state secrets).

2. The allocation of funds for purchasing equipment and machinery serving state secrets protection work shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 110/2013/TT-BTC dated August 14, 2013, issued by the Ministry of Finance, which stipulates the preparation of budgets, management, use, and settlement of state budget funds to ensure the implementation of specialized tasks related to state secrets protection work as prescribed in this Circular and relevant legal documents.

Article 27. Responsibilities of Units under the Ministry

1. Within their assigned functions, tasks, and authorities, agencies, units, organizations, and individuals possessing state secrets in the financial sector shall strictly implement the provisions of this Circular.

2. The Legal Department of the Ministry shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry Office to monitor, guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of state secrets protection work in the financial sector.

For General Departments and equivalent entities, the legal organization shall take the lead and coordinate with the General Department Office to monitor, guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of state secrets protection work.

3. The Information Technology and Financial Statistics Department shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to ensure information security on computer networks and the internet. Regularly review the information technology infrastructure system to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the financial sector's information technology systems and the computers of officials, civil servants, and employees involved in state secrets protection work.

For General Departments and equivalent entities, the Information Technology Department shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to ensure information security on computer networks and the internet.

4. Heads of agencies and units related to state secrets in the financial sector shall organize regular or spot checks on state secrets protection work within their management scope. Promptly identify and rectify shortcomings and vulnerabilities in this work within each agency and unit. By January 15th each year, they shall examine and propose amendments to the list of secrets, changes in classification levels, and decryption of the "Top Secret," "Secret," and "Confidential" lists of state secrets of the financial sector, and submit them to the Legal Department of the Ministry for consolidation, amendment, and submission to the Minister of Finance for approval by competent authorities.

Article Article 28. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2015.

2. This Circular replaces Decision No. 196/2003/QĐ-BTC dated December 2, 2003, issued by the Minister of Finance, regarding the issuance of the Regulations on State Secrets Protection in the Financial Sector.

3. During implementation, if the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by new documents, the new documents shall apply. In case of difficulties arising, agencies and units are requested to report to the Ministry of Finance for study, amendment, and supplementation to ensure compatibility./.