Microsoft, Bangladesh sign cyber security deal
The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology of Bangladesh signed an agreement with Microsoft of US on Wednesday on Government Security Program (GSP) for ensuring cyber security in the country.
As part of the agreement, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) will provide Bangladesh Cyber Threat Intelligence Programme (CTIP) data to the National Data Centre and CIRT team of the ministry, reports UNB.
Combatting malware risks, botnet takedowns and digital crimes and protect vulnerable populations by leveraging innovative technologies such as big data and AI, forensics, law and partnerships are key focus areas of Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) based in Seattle, USA.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the ICT Ministry in presence of Mustafa Jabbar, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Sook Hoon Cheah, President, Microsoft South East Asia New Markets (SEANM), and Sonia Bashir Kabir, Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos, said a press release.
Tarique M Barkatullah, Director, National Data Centre, Bangladesh Computer Council, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology signed the GSP agreement on behalf of Bangladesh Government.
DCU is an international team of attorneys, investigators, data scientists, engineers, analysts and business professionals focused on protecting people, organizations and Microsoft cloud against cybercriminals.
The report will reflect a snapshot of known malware threats and vulnerabilities in Bangladesh and this data would help the Government identify risks and threats of IT infrastructures and to mitigate these threats through remedial measures to ensure a secured Digital Bangladesh.
Minister of the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Mustafa Jabbar, said, "Maintaining our national security and addressing the cyber threats are crucial for Bangladesh as we envision to build a Digital Bangladesh. As the government is working to tighten our national security on the virtual space, this agreement with Microsoft will come to our help."
"Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. In this age of digital transformation, cyber security is a crucial topic for every technology company. Microsoft treats this topic seriously; we spend over $1B per year on the issue on cyber security to help our customers create a safe, secure and reliable computing experience," said Sook Hoon Cheah, President, Microsoft South East Asia New Markets (SEANM).
Sonia Bashir Kabir, Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos stated, "This agreement is an enabler for Bangladesh Computer Council, as it will help them identify security concerns and address imminent threats through various counter measures. It will eventually help tighten the national security and build a secure Digital Bangladesh where individuals and organisations are free from cyber threats."
