Ensuring cyber security, No substitute for integrated approach

Cyber security is the burning topic of discussion these days. A lot of hue and cry was made over it earlier also. But to speak the truth a structured security system to combat threats imposed on the digital space is yet to be designed. This is the reason behind turning government servers totally off after encountering a single hazard. This further cements our lack of control in the cyber security department.

The service government provides for a risk free digital space is nothing compared to the global standards. To build the ultimate Smart Bangladesh, there is no alternative to curate a stable cyber security system. Technology rests on sound and protected connectivity and the only medium to connect is internet. Cyber space makes you a global citizen which comes with its own pros and cons. Endless possibilities embrace you at the same time you might fall a prey to attacks from anywhere. Within just a second you can be targeted from the opposite part of the world. In such cases, the government needs to intervene and block the risks so one can fully focus on the positives. 

Now the question is, how do we construct a stable cyber security system? Knowledge is the first key and everyone using internet should made aware of the good, bad and ugly sides. Even if one person is unaware of the cyber risks, his organization might face greater risks. Cyber miscreants look for only one moment to dismantle a system and if we continue to shut the servers down in our defense, it will be a joke for the rest of the world. So educating everyone about the perils of the internet is the first step towards a safe digital space. The next step is to increase tech capacities that include both manpower and instruments. Cyber security should never be confined within the Elite. Every citizen of the country should have access to digital safety. It should always be central, not partial. The internet shows terms and conditions of privacy but those are as fragile as a glass door. 

Differentiating corporations as “important” and “less important “is what makes our country weak as digitally secure. The websites for birth and death registration were open days after days and no one batted an eyelid. The news came into spotlight only after some foreign media paid attention. How can the government fail so miserably? MTFE scam shook the whole nation but how come the ICT division had no clue about it. The authority seems to be bothered more about what went viral on social media rather then contemplating on their failure. They failed to notice how come an unknown app dealing with a great chunk of money operated so smoothly without legal validation. Thousands of such apps still exist to fool people and pull out as much money as they can. If a lesser known app garners more attention than popular networking sites, they deserved to be carefully noticed. Online payment platforms should also avoid signing any contract with such apps (which they are guilty of doing). There are some quiz apps that open payment options as soon as someone clicks on their links. The payments are being completed using MFS systems provided by renowned companies. Taking money even before someone downloads the apps is a fraud one can see with the plain eyes. Anything new that enters the market place should first let their services be tasted with free trials and then charge an amount. The prize money won should also be verified first. Apps designed to loot the masses are difficult to unsubscribe and using MFS a certain amount of money is automatically transferred to their account. So banks and financial institutes should be extra careful while dealing with so called new startups claiming to generate a lot of money within a very short time. Company laws should be restructured to detect frauds at the very first try.

In my opinion, Bangladesh has all the necessary equipment to form a stable cyber security. They just need proper utilization. We should use the websites of each of the ministries more and not make them mere noticeboards. If the ministers connect their respective divisions with the cyber security team, the results will be amazing. Recruiting and training skilled professional in both the CT and cyber security department will make the job easier. Telecom sectors should be given responsibilities to detect any sort of unpleasant activity on the digital space. Their added responsibility should never be limited to blocking pornography.

To conclude, cyber security support must be a centralized structure of the government and private sectors working together. Otherwise, no existing law will ever be able to prevent cyber-crimes. Technological capacities in every sector must be increased and awareness should be spread on the safe use of internet. This is the time to start and finish the task for a secured future.

Writer:  Chief Technology officer, Fiber@home