600 Vikaunnisa Students learned to tackle Cyber risks

In today's technology-driven era, digital platforms constitute a significant part of students' lives. However, this technological expansion is paralleled by a rise in risks such as cyber fraud, identity theft, data breaches, online harassment, and digital blackmail. To combat these challenges by increasing awareness, a 'Cyber Awareness Enhancement Program' was held at Vikanunnesa Noon School and College in the capital.

The program, organized on Thursday, was a joint initiative of the Cyber Police Center (CPC) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police and bKash Limited. Approximately 600 students from various grades participated in the event.

Presided over by Majeda Begum, the acting principal of Vikanunnesa Noon School and College, the event featured Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sana Shaminur Rahman of the CID's Cyber Police Center as the chief guest. Special guests included Mir Abu Touhid, Special Superintendent of Police at CPC, and AKM Monirul Karim, EVP and Head of External Affairs at bKash. Additional DIG Md. Zahidul Islam was the keynote speaker.

In his address, DIG Sana Shaminur Rahman stated that the current generation inhabits both the real and digital worlds simultaneously. While technological advancement creates new opportunities, it also gives rise to new forms of crime. Therefore, understanding how to use technology safely is as crucial as knowing how to use it.

He urged students to use strong passwords, keep OTPs and PIN numbers confidential, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, and be cautious about sharing personal information on social media.

Sana Shaminur Rahman emphasized, "Cybercriminals exploit people's carelessness as their biggest opportunity. Awareness is the most effective way to prevent such crimes."

He further added that spreading unverified information on social media can be detrimental to both individuals and society. He underscored the importance of developing responsible digital behavior.

Chief Speaker Additional DIG Md. Zahidul Islam stated that a large part of education, communication, entertainment, and daily life now relies on digital platforms. Consequently, cybersecurity is no longer solely a concern for technologists; it has become an integral part of every citizen's fundamental life skills.

He explained that sharing an OTP, clicking on suspicious links, or oversharing personal information can expose individuals to significant financial and social harm. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of developing habits of awareness, self-control, and information verification.

During the event, Special Superintendent of Police Mir Abu Touhid remarked that today's students will be tomorrow's leaders. Besides being proficient in technology, they must also serve as ambassadors of awareness within their families and communities.

Meanwhile, AKM Monirul Karim, EVP and Head of External Affairs at bKash, noted that with the increased use of mobile financial services, the risk of fraud has also risen. However, increased awareness has led to greater user caution compared to before. Visual presentations showcasing various mobile financial service-centric fraud techniques were also presented at the event.

In her presidential address, Acting Principal Majeda Begum lauded such initiatives as timely and urged students to disseminate their acquired knowledge within their families and communities.

This event highlighted the equally crucial need to create responsible and safe digital citizens alongside the expansion of technology on the path to building a Digital Bangladesh. 

//DBTech/DPO/EK//