DHAKA, April 30, 2019 (BSS)-International and local cyber security experts today said that the cyber security capacity of Bangladesh has considerably increased due to take various pragmatic actions to address the fast growing cyber-attacks and threats.
But, more efforts have to be taken in the area as the cyber criminals are frequently changing their strategy to breach the security systems which are being developed by the government in line with its implementation of Digital Bangladesh, they observed.
Talking to BSS, Dr. Vilius Benetis, head of NRD Cyber Security (CS) – an international company dealing with the cyber security issues in many countries including Bangladesh, said setting up of BGD e-Gov CIRT, developing skills manpower and partnering in information sharing on attacks, new methods of defence and raise awareness of the users of digital Bangladesh are glaring example of such acts.
The NRD CS has been engaged by the Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT) project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) to provide assistance to be resilient to cyber threats by building effective Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) and Information Security Operations Centers (SOCs).
“Bangladesh not only identifies focus areas for resources and effort by deploying Cyber Security Capacity Maturity Model for Nations (CMM), but also takes concrete actions which indicate the commitment to increasing cyber security maturity,” Vilius said, adding, “The establishment of BGD e-Gov CIRT is a glaring example of an action that has already made visible impact.”
He said Bangladesh like other countries has been successfully building and modernizing its digital infrastructures – government information systems, registers, electronic services for citizens, businesses and for international cooperation.
In parallel, there are possibilities that such digital systems will instantly attract criminals, who will try to take advantage and steal information and money, he added.
The NRD CS top brass said the successful such attack prevention and resolution was based on partnership of financial organisations with government as well as clients, and taking responsibility of monitoring the threats and actions to the threats.
BCC Executive Director Parthapratim Deb said the government was aware about the threats and it has been investing in creating cyber defence programs – issuing relevant regulations and guidance for protecting digital assets, establishing computer incident response teams (CIRTs) and making international partnerships in cooperation in cyber security, publishing threat reports.
The actions including establishment BGD e-Gov CIRT undertaken by the government and Bangladesh’s participation in the international cyber drill had proved its efficiency and capability to deal with the cyber security issues, he said.
Director of National Data Center and LICT Deputy Project Director Tarique M Barkatullah said creating world class high calibre security experts to handle ever-changing threat landscape was very crucial and this can be mediated by implementing on the job skills training and international certifications.
“We have already set up a specialized lab and nearly 3,000 government officials have already been provided training on e-government and cyber security issues using this lab,” he said.
