Cyber security key challenge

Moving ahead with its digitalisation vision, Bangladesh's key challenge now is ensuring proper cyber security, said CTO Forum, Bangladesh President Tapan Kanti Sarkar at the inauguration of Bangladesh's "first ever" international Tech Summit in the capital yesterday.

The organisation and INFOCOM, an initiative from the house of Anandabazar Group, one of India's leading media conglomerates, are organising the two-day event at the Sonargaon hotel.

The aim is to discuss the most recent developments, challenges and possibilities in Bangladesh and India's information and communication technology sector.  

The best brains, namely chief information, technology and information security officers and technology leaders, from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar will be talking on issues like digital leadership, cyber security, and IT skill development in five sessions. 

Today five technology executives and leaders in South Asia will also be conferred ICT Excellence Award 2015 in Dhanmondi Club. The organisers say it is an attempt to recognise contributions and efforts having a huge impact on day to day businesses.

Themed "Driving ICT innovations and security", it is an attempt to provide IT people a "powerful platform" to hold conversions, said DD Purkayastha, chairman of INFOCOM and managing director of ABP Pvt Ltd. 

This summit would be a catalyst for more collaboration between Bangladesh and India, said Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran.

South Asia has the potential to be branded as the centre of gravity for ICT innovation and development due to the many resource endowments, he added.

The summit is expected to benefit all participants including local companies, said Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan.

He said the government plans to launch a separate course on cyber security at educational institutions to develop professionals.

Ernst & Young India, a professional services firm, yesterday presented a paper, "Driving ICT innovation and security-Global and Bangladesh perspective". 

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nazneen Sultana, NCC Bank Vice Chairman ASM Mainuddin Monem and Harish Agarwal, partner of Ernst & Young India, also spoke.