Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stresses need for boosting cyber security

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed boosting cyber security as unprecedented problems have emerged apart from the brighter aspects of digitisation.

She highlighted such facts while inaugurating the ICT sector's three-day annual event 'Digital World-2016' at International Conference City at Bashundhara in the capital on Wednesday.

Calling for building capacity in 'cyber security', she said: "Necessary manpower and equipment will be provided. We have to be careful to protect confidential data related to national security and the financial sector," she said.

The premier announced that the digital security law was under way to thwart cyber crimes.

"The government will set up a standard forensic lab, cyber security agency, and cyber incidents responsive team and a high-level digital security council of global standards under the law," she explained.

A total 400 local and foreign organisations are taking part in the event under the theme, 'Non-stop Bangladesh'.

Hasina underscored different plans and initiatives of her government for the development of the ICT sector.

"We are proceeding fast with our own Bangabandhu Satellite and we will be able to export bandwidth next year after meeting local demands," she said.

The Awami League chief also announced that a fourth generation (4G) internet service would be available from next year.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the government planned to double manpower in the ICT sector by 2021 and increase the export of technological products.

Mustafa Jabbar, president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, appealed to the government to facilitate local IT companies in raising the quantity of exports.