Bangladesh must tap youth, global expertise to bridge cyber gap: Info minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has called on Bangladesh to harness its large youth population and strengthen international technology partnerships to build a more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem and reduce the country’s digital security gap.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the five-day Phoenix Summit 2026 in Dhaka yesterday (27 June), the minister said Bangladesh’s demographic advantage, coupled with global expertise, could help accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

Held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) under the theme “Closing the Cyber Gap in Emerging Economies,” the summit brought together policymakers, cybersecurity experts, researchers, technology companies, students and industry leaders from home and abroad.

Addressing the event as chief guest, Swapon said the government is actively exploring opportunities for international collaboration in the technology sector.

“During a recent visit to China, we discussed technology cooperation and how Bangladesh can benefit from China’s knowledge, technical expertise and experience. Our prime minister is actively pursuing these opportunities,” he said.

“Bangladesh has tremendous potential because of its large youth population. With proper planning and strategic investment, we can build a stronger digital future,” he added.

ASM Shamim Reza, founder and chief of research at The Team Phoenix Group (TTPG), said the summit had exceeded expectations in terms of participation and collaboration.

“Phoenix Summit Dhaka 2026 is a collective effort to strengthen Bangladesh’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The exchange of knowledge, research and innovative ideas over the past five days will contribute significantly to enhancing the country’s digital security and resilience,” he said.

Organised by The Team Phoenix Group and powered by BRAC Bank PLC, the summit attracted more than 10,000 participants, according to organisers.

A total of 73 organisations showcased cybersecurity products and services, while 18 university clubs and three local and international knowledge partners participated in the event.

The first three days featured technical workshops at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), covering cyber investigation, DevSecOps, application security, vulnerability management, penetration testing and ransomware defence.

Several individuals and organisations were recognised during the closing ceremony.

The Cyber Security Club of Islamic University received an award for promoting cybersecurity awareness, while Joyeeta Sen Rimpee, deputy general manager (DOMAIN) at BTCL, was honoured for her contribution to the sector and for encouraging greater participation of women in cybersecurity.

The Lifetime Honour Award was presented to Sumon Ahmed Sabir, chief information officer of Fiber@Home, in recognition of his longstanding contribution to Bangladesh’s cybersecurity ecosystem and his role in promoting innovation and professional excellence.

The summit was supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the ICT Division and the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), alongside several local and international partners from the technology and financial sectors.