Bangladesh Innovation Conclave Spearheads Cyber Resilience Discussions at Landmark Bangladesh Cyber Security Summit

Bangladesh Innovation Conclave hosted the Grameenphone Presents Bangladesh Cyber Security Summit 2024 Powered by Link3 Technologies Limited and IDEA Foundation in association with bKash Limited and in collaboration with Smart Bangladesh Network on March 05, 2024 (Tuesday) at Le Méridien Dhaka. Organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum, the day-long summit brought together the country’s top Cyber Security and Tech Professionals from Corporate, Development, Technology, Banking & Finance Sectors, Government Employees, Policy Representatives and many more Cyber Security enthusiasts at home and abroad. This year, the Summit is designed around the core vision of “Cyber Resilience for Bangladesh,” with the aim to explore the different cyber security challenges and opportunities of Bangladesh and provide a platform for critical dialogue and collaboration among government entities, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and stakeholders invested in Bangladesh’s digital future. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology for the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, honoured the event as the Chief Guest. MD. Abul Kalam Azad, MP, Vice Chairman, iDEA Foundation; Co-Chairman, Smart Bangladesh Network; and Former Principal Secretary for the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, also graced the event as the Special Guest. The summit featured an engaging agenda comprising 04 Keynote Sessions, 02 Panel Discussions, 04 Insight Sessions, 01 Case Study, and 01 Policy Dialogue. The distinguished discussions together have raised significant talking points and policy suggestions while shaping a framework for the cyber security landscape of the country. The summit began with Niranjan Srinivasan, Chief Information Officer of Grameenphone, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in the context of rapid digitization and the vision of a Smart Bangladesh. He said “Serving over 82 million customers, Grameenphone shoulders the responsibility of protecting the vast amounts of data traversing our networks daily. We have invested significantly in cutting-edge technologies, robust infrastructure, and advanced data protection measures to fulfil this commitment. Additionally, our flagship digital channel, MyGP, IoT products, app alo and “AppCity” along with our data centers operate within a smart data protection framework.” In the Opening Speech Shariful Islam, Founder, Bangladesh Innovation Conclave and Founder & Managing Director, Bangladesh Brand Forum said, “As a nation, we have obtained the digital Bangladesh vision. Now, it is our responsibility to make the digital experience effective and secure for every other sector. Cyber security currently stands as both a challenge and an opportunity for Bangladesh. And our previous such experiences prove that, as a nation, we have always dealt with challenges profoundly and made the best of the opportunities. Here, we have gathered to establish a cyber-resilient Bangladesh. I believe we will walk the path together, ensuring innovative solutions and sustainable outcomes.” The Chief Guest, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, in his speech, emphasised the emerging importance of cyber security and appreciated the initiative by saying, “Cyber security is a crucial component in our way to establishing Smart Bangladesh 2041. I urge all stakeholders – government entities, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and citizens alike – to prioritize cyber resilience as a fundamental pillar of our digital transformation journey.” Additionally, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, MP, remarked, “In our journey towards a Smart Bangladesh, technological progress is key and cybersecurity stands as a crucial pillar. Securing our advancements is not just essential; it’s the foundation for realizing our Smart Bangladesh Vision. Together, let’s prioritize and strengthen our cyber defenses, ensuring a secure digital future for our nation’s prosperity.” The discussions revolved around multifaceted and timely topics like the shifting landscape of cybersecurity threats in Bangladesh’s financial sector, cyber resilience in Bangladesh for critical infrastructure, and Bangladesh’s dynamic cybersecurity policies. The keynote speakers of the summit were: Major Vineet Kumar, Founder & President, CyberPeace Foundation; A. S. M. Shamim Reza, Chief Technology Officer, Pipeline, Inc.; Habibullah N Karim, Founder & CEO, Technohaven Company Ltd.; and Anwar S. Kazi, CISA, CISSP, SVP & Director, Corporate Information, Security, KeyCorp, USA. Other respected discussants who graced the event with their thoughts and experiences, included Md Shamsul Arefin, Honorable Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Abu Sayed Md. Kamruzzaman NDC, Director General, National Cyber Security Agency; Sayeda Silma Tamanina, Managing Partner, Khan Tamanina & Co.; Barrister-at-Law Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh; Rob Stoelman, Project Manager Partnerships for a Tolerant Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB), UNDP; Dr. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Commissioner, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission; Hussain A Samad, Lead Researcher, iDEA Foundation & Consultant, The World Bank; A K M Nazmul Karim, EVP & Head of IT Governance bKash Limited and others. Bangladesh Brand Forum organised Grameenphone Presents Bangladesh Cyber Security Summit 2024 Powered by Link3 Technologies Limited and IDEA Foundation in association with bKash Limited and in collaboration with Smart Bangladesh Network. Supported by: Summit Communications Ltd.; UCB Stock Brokerage Ltd.; Aspire to Innovate (a2i); National Cyber Security Agency; Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited; Strategic Partner: Nammcon; and PR partner – Backpage PR. Bangladesh Cyber Security Summit 2024 is an initiative of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave.