Photo: Collected
From digital banking and mobile financial services to ‘one citizen, one identity, one wallet’ — everything now depends on digital platforms. Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said that while these initiatives have brought new opportunities, they have also increased cyber risks. In his view, ensuring cyber security is essential to keep the government’s activities safe, uninterrupted and people-friendly.
The minister was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day seminar titled ‘Cyber Security and Data Protection’ at the Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital on Tuesday (10 November). The theme of the seminar is ‘Cyber security for building a resilient digital government: strategic awareness of policymakers, senior government officials and leaders of critical information infrastructure’.
Along with increasing technical capacity to protect government data, critical information infrastructure (CII) and digital services, the minister stressed institutional coordination, skilled manpower and effective policies. He also said that Bangladesh is moving fast on the path of digital transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Three priorities
First, to protect the country’s critical information infrastructure, cyber security must be given top priority from the very start of designing infrastructure and technology systems. Instead of being seen as something to be added later, security must be treated as a fundamental part of infrastructure development.
Second, protecting citizens’ personal and sensitive data is one of the main conditions for building a digital state. For this, an effective data protection framework must be developed and implemented, and people’s trust in digital services must also be built.
Third, cyber security must be made an integral part of institutional planning, policymaking and budgets. It is urgent to build skilled and trained manpower, increase institutional capacity and ensure effective leadership. A safe, reliable and sustainable digital environment must be built through coordinated efforts.
Fakir Mahbub Anam said, ‘We want to move away from a reactive mindset and build a preventive cyber culture. We will move forward through Estonia’s experience and international cooperation.’ Calling on the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) to prepare a clear roadmap for implementing the seminar’s outcomes, he formally declared the seminar open.
Prime Minister’s adviser Rehan Asif Asad said that, just like geographical borders, protecting digital sovereignty is now essential. For this, infrastructural preparedness, 100 per cent protection of citizens’ data and proper development of the talent of the young generation must be ensured.
He also said that cyber risks are constantly increasing because of artificial intelligence (AI). To stop cyber criminals, one must be prepared with the same speed and modern technology. Rehan Asif Asad believes it is possible to build a secure and resilient digital system by harnessing the talent of young people with the necessary technology and training and by coordinating with international partners.
The event was presided over by Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan. Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director (Additional Secretary) Nahid Sultana Mallik gave the welcome speech. Ingrid Tuunikurg, a representative of Estonia’s e-Governance Academy (eGA), gave the opening speech. A representative of the European Union delegation was present as special guest.
The two-day seminar will discuss the national cyber security strategy, Bangladesh’s cyber risk landscape, the activities of cyber security institutions and CERT/CSIRT, protection of government networks, responding to cyber attacks, post-disaster recovery and the security of critical information infrastructure. Estonian experts will present international experience and technical knowledge. There will also be panel discussions on cyber security oversight, cyber diplomacy, tackling misinformation and disinformation, and what needs to be done to strengthen Bangladesh’s cyber resilience.
The organisers hope the seminar will play an important role in raising the strategic awareness of policymakers and senior government officials, ensuring the security of government digital services and building coordinated capacity to tackle cyber risks at the national level.
The seminar is being organised under the European Union-funded project ‘E-fective Governance: Accelerating e-Government and Digital Public Services in Bangladesh’. Local and foreign cyber security experts, policymakers, senior government officials and officials involved with critical information infrastructure are taking part.
At a glance
The Cyber Security Act, 2026 (Act No 81 of 2026), published on the Law Ministry’s Laws of Bangladesh website, was enacted repealing the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025, and will be deemed effective from 21 May 2025. Section 5 of the act provides for the formation of the National Cyber Security Agency and Section 12 for the National Cyber Security Council.
According to an Ittefaq report, the National Cyber Security Council was formed on 26 August (2025) after the ordinance was issued.
Sources
Background sources: Laws of Bangladesh (bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd), 2026; Ittefaq, 2025
