Humankind’s increasing dependence on tech-based services has laid bare vulnerabilities that threaten nations, institutions, and individuals. According to research by Cybersecurity Ventures, the financial toll of cybercrime over the world is projected to reach USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
This staggering figure highlights the urgency for all countries, especially fast developing ones like Bangladesh, to prioritise cyber security awareness and education as a fundamental part of the national development roadmap. With artificial intelligence (AI) now driving the evolution of products, markets and industries, the need for cyber security expertise remains higher than ever before.
Modern AI-driven systems generate vast amounts of data, much of which is sensitive and susceptible to misuse. Securing these systems requires a professional-level understanding and skillset to face the potential vulnerabilities of big data. This means there is a huge global demand for people with cyber security expertise.
As AI becomes embedded in everything from healthcare to financial services, the nature and extent of threats are consistently growing. Systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to adversarial attacks, data breaches, and exploitation of predictive models. This has created a huge market demand for the specialised skills to understand and mitigate the risks unique to such technologies. Many universities and training institutions across the world have recognised this need, and are rapidly integrating cyber security-focused programs into their offerings. The United States leads the race with initiatives like the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), which partners with academia and industry to create a skilled workforce equipped to address the complex challenges of an AI-integrated digital economy.
In stark contrast, Bangladesh lags far behind in both academic and practical preparation for the novel challenges. Recent cyberattacks in the country, such as the compromise of the Smart NID database affecting over fifty million citizens , highlight systemic vulnerabilities in governance and inadequate technical expertise. Private sector breaches, including the recent data leaks of a leading financial institution in early 2025 , further underscore the risks faced by institutions and individuals. These incidents collectively highlight the broader issue of the country’s lack of skilled cyber security professionals and the need for greater emphasis on formal education in this area.
The 2024 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study reports a global gap of 4.8 million cyber security professionals . This deficit hinders efforts to secure critical infrastructure and protect sensitive data, particularly in regions where resources are already stretched thin. The skill gap is greater in developing countries like Bangladesh due to the limited educational opportunities available to develop the required talent. Only a handful of educational institutes in Bangladesh have so far started offering dedicated programs in cyber security for aspiring and forward-looking local students.
Countries like Estonia and Finland have set strong examples of the transformative impact of such education. Estonia’s (often referred to as “E-stonia” in this context) robust e-governance infrastructure is supported by a population that has been educated in digital literacy and cybersecurity from a young age. Finland, one of the global leaders in cyber security research and deployment, has cultivated a thriving ecosystem by embedding similar topics into its national security and education strategy and leveraging partnerships with industry as well as defence institutions. Singapore, South Korea, and even Saudi Arabia, among others, have also set examples by considerably investing to build capacity in cyber security.
Bangladesh must also adopt similar multi-faceted approaches to achieve parallel progress. Integrating cyber security education into school and university curricula is the obvious initial step in addressing these challenges, as early exposure to concepts such as data privacy, ethical hacking, and cyber hygiene help build foundational knowledge and spark interest among the budding minds to pursue specialised careers. Policymakers should therefore prioritise creating more accessible opportunities for cyber security education and training, ensuring that programmes are available in both urban and rural areas.
Practical, hands-on training is essential in this field. Using simulated environments, such as cyber ranges, enables students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, preparing them to respond effectively to evolving threats. Establishing dedicated research centers for cyber security and AI can be another steppingstone, as these can facilitate innovation and provide students with opportunities to engage in unique, international-standard projects, and ready them with a problem-solving mentality.
A strong cyber security framework, supported by a pool of certified and proficient cyber security experts, is essential for Bangladesh to attract foreign investors’ confidence, foreign direct investment, and thereby to support long-term economic growth. Bangladesh’s recognition in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 as a “role model” provided us with a platform to showcase our true potential. We must acknowledge that while the challenges are significant, they are not insurmountable.
By adapting the global shift toward AI-driven solutions and developing a detailed strategy for talent development, Bangladesh can position itself as a regional leader in cyber security education and services. This means developing an action plan for education and collaboration so that Bangladesh can establish the foundation for a future where cyber security and cyber-innovation will progress hand in hand.
The writer is the President and Provost of Universal College Bangladesh
References-
- https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damages-6-trillion-by-2021/
- https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/over-5-crore-bangladeshi-citizens-data-remains-exposed-online-3363866
- https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/city-bank-data-breach-client-financial-statements-sold-underground-forums-3793091
- https://www.isc2.org/Insights/2024/09/ISC2-Publishes-2024-Cybersecurity-Workforce-Study-First-Look
- https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/global-lessons-estonias-tech-savvy-government
- https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/165893/VNK_2024_13.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- https://thecyberexpress.com/singapore-reveals-ot-masterplan-2024/
Published In: The Daily Star