New cyber platforms rolled out to boost security

The ICT Division yesterday launched two digital platforms aimed at strengthening the country’s cyber security infrastructure and unveiled the draft National Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2030 for stakeholder consultation.

Fakir Mahbub Anam, minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology, and science and technology, inaugurated the Cyber Incident Reporting System (CIRS) and the National ICT & Cyber Security Rating System (NRS) at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) auditorium in ICT Tower, Agargaon.

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Both platforms were developed by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) under the ICT Division.

Speaking at the event, Mahbub Anam said the launch marked a new chapter in Bangladesh’s cyber security efforts.

“With the inauguration of the Cyber Incident Reporting System and the National ICT & Cyber Security Rating System, Bangladesh has entered a new phase in strengthening its cyber resilience,” he said.

He added that the draft National Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2030 would provide a roadmap for the country’s future cyber security initiatives.

The minister said the rapid expansion of digital technologies has increased the risks of cyber-attacks, data breaches, online fraud and misinformation.

He said the CIRS would enable citizens and organisations to report cyber incidents more easily and receive quicker responses, while the NRS would help assess and improve the cyber security capabilities of public and private organisations.

Mahbub Anam also stressed the need for responsible use of social media and greater public awareness to prevent online harassment, misinformation and misuse of digital platforms.

Government agencies, businesses and citizens must work together to build a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem, he added.

Rehan Asad, the prime minister’s adviser on telecom and ICT, said Bangladesh had entered a new era of cyber security following the enactment of the Cyber Security Act.

He described the launch as a major step forward but warned that cyber security must remain a top priority as the country moves towards a digital economy and a cashless society.

He said cyber security is a shared responsibility of the government, the private sector and citizens.

Rehan also stressed the need to strengthen the security of the banking and financial sectors, as well as government information systems.

He said developing skilled professionals in artificial intelligence, cyber security and data technologies would be essential to tackling future cyber threats.

The CIRS will allow citizens, organisations and authorised users to report cyber incidents through a structured online platform. Each report will go through verification, analysis, escalation, response, monitoring and resolution under an integrated process.

The NRS will provide a national framework to assess the IT, information security and cyber security capabilities of government and private organisations.

Under the National ICT and Cyber Security Maturity Rating Framework, organisations will be assessed across four key pillars and 131 indicators and assigned grades from A to E.

ICT Division Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan chaired the event. Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Md Emdad Ul Bari also spoke.