Evidence of 1.8 Million Records on Dark Web : 15 Sectors at Risk

Cybersecurity firm CyberStation says its review of 767 domains across 15 sectors in Bangladesh found evidence that more than 1.8 million user records and the login details of at least 17,362 users were circulating online on the dark web. According to the company’s findings, government services accounted for the largest share of exposed citizen data, while the technology and telecommunications sectors had the highest rates of data exposure. The findings raise concerns about institutional data protection and the security of citizens’ personal information.

Dhaka, October 15, 2026: CyberStation, the cybersecurity division of Brain Station 23 PLC, organized a seminar titled “Bangladesh Cyber Resilience Briefing 2026” to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Held on Thursday at BRAC Centre Inn in Mohakhali, Dhaka, the seminar presented the company’s observations on information from Bangladesh circulating on the dark web. Around 150 senior representatives from banking, telecommunications, technology, government and academia, along with officials from regulatory bodies and cybersecurity professionals, attended the event.

The seminar was told that a review of 767 domains across 15 sectors found credentials online for nearly all of them. Evidence indicated that the login details of at least 17,362 users and records belonging to more than 1.8 million users were circulating online. CyberStation said these figures represented minimum estimates and that the actual numbers could be higher. According to its observations, government services accounted for the largest share of exposed citizen data, while technology and telecommunications had the highest rates of exposure.

Mohibbul Moktadir Tanim, head of cybersecurity services at CyberStation, said, “We cannot manage risks that we cannot see. Our goal is to help organizations understand what information has been exposed and take action before criminals can misuse it.”

M J Ferdous, executive director of Brain Station 23, said, “Based on 20 years of experience, we have built CyberStation, our own cybersecurity division. The purpose of today’s event was to review where we stand in cybersecurity in Bangladesh and what initiatives need to be taken next. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign software and strengthen the country’s own cybersecurity capabilities. If any contribution we make can be useful, we sincerely want to stand beside everyone.”

Cybersecurity expert Tanvir Hasan Zoha said, “CyberStation is doing important work in cybersecurity. I have had the opportunity to use the technology they developed. Alongside raising awareness of cyber risks, it can play an important role in developing effective prevention and response strategies.”

Technology specialist Munir Hasan highlighted the importance of DarkWatch, saying, “We should all work together to advance local technological initiatives such as DarkWatch, developed by Brain Station 23. If we can further strengthen such initiatives, they will make an important contribution to Bangladesh’s overall cybersecurity in the future.”

A panel discussion was also held on the risks of information exposure on the dark web in Bangladesh and ways to address them. Participants included Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahriar Rahman, adviser to the University Grants Commission (UGC); Mohammad Shamsul Haque, head of the Special Response Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP); Md. Imran Khan, joint secretary (ICT) at Bangladesh Bank; and tech specialist Mahtab Uddin Ahmed. The discussion emphasized preventing data misuse and adopting coordinated measures to address such risks.

Other attendees included Hamida Kazi, chair of the Computer Science Department at BRAC University; Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, chair of the Computer Science Department at Jahangirnagar University; Professor Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman of the same department; Dr. Rajesh Palit, director of cybersecurity at North South University; A K M Sajjad Hossain, additional managing director of Grameen Bank; Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman, adjunct faculty member at BRAC University and former chief information officer (CIO) of Grameenphone; Shafkat Mahmud Fahmi, chief technology officer (CTO) of Mobil; and Colonel Md. Sohel Rana, PSC (Retd.), managing director of Stream Connect, among others.

CyberStation, established on the foundation of Brain Station 23’s 20 years of experience, said it would continue working to raise cybersecurity awareness among organizations and citizens and provide services to help them address risks. The initiative aims to strengthen the ability to identify threats in time and take effective action.

//DBTech/DENS//MVNO/SMP/DPEO//