The internet, or cyberspace, fundamentally has no borders, which amplifies the severity of cybercrime. Attacks can be launched from anywhere in the world, targeting any location. Although Bangladesh has declared itself a digital nation, it lags significantly in ensuring cybersecurity. According to experts, securing cyberspace is not solely the government’s responsibility; creating awareness and encouraging citizens to take proactive roles in their individual capacities is equally vital.
These observations were made during a seminar on cybersecurity held on Monday, December 9, at Bangladesh University. The event, titled Cybersecurity, was organized by the CSE Department of Bangladesh University with the support of BASIS Student Forum BU Chapter.
The keynote address was delivered by Md. Monirul Islam, Chair of the CSE Department at AIUB. Special guests included Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Mahbubul Haque, Registrar of Bangladesh University, and Delwar Alam, Managing Director of BagsBD Limited. The seminar was presided over by Sadiq Iqbal, Chair of the CSE Department at Bangladesh University, while the session was moderated by Lecturer Pabon Saha Chowdhury.
In his keynote speech, Monirul Islam stated that the current number of internet users in the country is approximately 70 million. He emphasized that much of the country’s IT services are connected to private institutions. Therefore, ensuring cybersecurity requires not only government efforts but also active participation from every citizen. He highlighted the borderless nature of the internet and the global scale of cybercrime, urging increased awareness to combat the growing threats.
Delwar Alam echoed these sentiments, noting that cyberspace is not confined to specific geographical boundaries. He stressed the importance of being cautious when using IT resources and called for greater awareness to mitigate cyber risks.
Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Mahbubul Haque provided a practical example to illustrate the pervasive nature of cyber threats. He explained that even a farmer using a mobile phone could fall victim to cybercrime. A criminal might send a deceptive SMS, and the farmer, unaware of the danger, could end up losing all his money due to such fraud.
The seminar concluded with a quiz competition on cybersecurity, and certificates were awarded to the winners in the second session.
