Cybersecurity monitoring system on the cards

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is planning to install a cybersecurity monitoring system for the country’s mobile networks.

The system will protect the telecommunication sector’s IT resources and ensure the detection and prevention of cyberattacks on mobile networks, systems, applications and databases.

According to BTRC sources, various levels of security measures for data networks will be strengthened and regularly monitored to prevent attacks that could wreak havoc on the country’s digital infrastructure. Immediate necessary instructions can be given to ensure safety at the same time.

A policy decision has already been taken to purchase equipment to build this system under the Digital Security Cell of BTRC.

The system equipment will be purchased using a portion of Tk 30 crore to be allocated in the budget for the purchase of cyber security equipment of BTRC. However, the government wants to adopt the expenditure reduction policy in making purchases.

Brig Gen Md Nasim Parvez, the director general of BTRC’s Systems and Services Department, said the new system will be highly effective for ensuring the security of the country’s mobile networks in the telecommunication sector once it’s developed.

To that end, BTRC will purchase different types of service modules that are mostly related to cybersecurity. The devices include Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Test (VAPT), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR), User and Entity Behaviour, Analytics (UEBA), Network Behaviour Anomaly Detection (NBAD) or Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA), Threat Intelligence (TI), Intrusion Detection System (IDS), Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Artificial Intelligence.

BTRC wants to install this monitoring system on mobile networks first. It will install the system in the country’s IIG network as well if it’s cost-effective and beneficial as expected.

Meanwhile, an initiative titled “Telecom Monitoring System (TMS)” is also being established to collect real-time information on voice calls and data traffic, network and service quality.

The telecom regulator has recently signed a purchase agreement with Canadian TKC Telecom, involving Tk 77.6 crore. According to the deal, the company will have to complete the monitoring system’s installation within 180 days of signing it.