Every Organization should have own CIRT team for Data Protection
This time, the country's first Bangabandhu International Cyber Security Awareness Award 2023 competition is starting from next September with innovative initiatives in cyber security. For this, from July 30 to September 1, proposals will be accepted online in 5 categories to get special honors for students, entrepreneurs, professionals, parents and international level. Winners in each category will be awarded USD 10,000. UNDP Bangladesh has taken the initiative to award this honor after the Digital Khichuri Challenge initiated by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the competition at Bangladesh Computer Council Auditorium of ICT Tower in Agargaon on Sunday. While speaking as the chief guest, referring to 'information as money of the future’, Palak said that every organization needs to have its own CIRT team for the protection and supervision of 29 sensitive information infrastructures (CII) from the CIRT organized by the ICT Division.
Also emphasizing awareness and technical knowledge in citizen protection, he said, even if there is no special knowledge, I can say from general knowledge, we need to pay special attention to 4 areas to ensure security in our cyber world. In particular, citizens should be made aware of their families, workplaces, students and children along with protection. We need to educate the next generation on what is digital signature, cyber security and how they should use their social media. Besides, they have to acquire technical competence. And this work should be done collectively. Because no one or any country alone can keep their national cyber space safe.
Commenting on the recent accident, the state minister said that it is not possible to keep cyber world secured without coordinated initiatives with regional and international platforms, saying that this happened due to technical errors and non-compliance of CIRT instructions. A government website exposed a citizen's personal information due to a system vulnerability, not a hack.
A 'Data Protection Act' with precautions to prevent such untoward incidents and keep the sovereignty of data intact is in the final stages and will soon be passed into law, said the Minister of State for ICT.
Calling for submission of innovative projects in the competition, Palak said, "We believe that the "Bangabandhu International Cyber Security Awareness Award" will be able to bring forward individuals and organizations who are struggling to overcome this challenge in our society. Achieving a risk-free and secure cyber world will require collaborative and joint efforts of all sectors, civil society, government, media etc. And this awareness award will help to recognize and promote those collaborative efforts around the world. We are hopeful that if we work together, we can leave a safer and more conducive world for all.
Under the chairmanship of
The Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Md. Samsul Arefin, UNDP Bangladesh Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Managing Director Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Digital Security Agency Director General Abu Saeed Md. Kamruzzaman, Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director Ranjit Kumar, International Children's Peace Prize Winner Sadat Rahman spoke among others.
