Global efforts must to ensure cyber security

State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Thursday underscored the need for global efforts to ensure security of the cyberspace, saying that it is not possible to protect cyberspace from hackers without the joint cooperation of different countries.

"Cyberspace has no borders or boundaries . . . no country can keep the cyberspace safe without specific policies, frameworks, laws and mutual cooperation," he said.

Palak said these at the 'Bangabandhu International Cyber Security Awareness Award-2023' distribution ceremony at a city hotel with ICT Division Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin in the chair, read a press release.

With the support of UNDP, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) and Digital Security Agency (DSA) gave the award for the first time to create awareness among the people about cyber security.

BHTPA Managing Director GSM Jafarullah, DSA Director General Abu Sayed Md Kamruzzaman and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller spoke at the award distribution event, among others.

Terming the communication tool Gmail as a vulnerable means, Palak said Gmail users can be victims of hacking at any time as everyone is being monitored by someone on the internet.

To keep the cyber world safe, he said, importance should be given to four issues - personal and institutional awareness, development of technical skills, creation of digital and policy infrastructure and international cross-border cooperation.

Therefore, a single platform should be developed for international cross-border cooperation, the state minister added.

At the event, Palak announced that the 'Bangabandhu International Cyber Security Awareness Award' will be given every year from now on.

Later, the state minister handed over the prizes to the winners.

Tamjid Rahman, a student of St Joseph's School, received the award as the smart student for the Plenty Project in the student category while the Indian 'And Now Foundation' in the entrepreneurs category, 'Bite Capsule' in the startup category, Bangladesh Police Women Network and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in the government category, and "Pathchala Foundation" in the special category received the award.