Bangladesh plans full-fledged cyber security unit: Home Minister

“We are planning to establish a cyber security unit under the leadership of an additional IGP by utilising the expertise of police personnel with engineering, IT and computer science backgrounds,” he said.

The minister told this while president over the 21st meeting of the Governing Board of Bangladesh Police Staff College at its boardroom in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Ahmed said digital crime investigations and forensic analysis are currently being conducted on an ad hoc basis through the Police Headquarters, DMP Cyber Unit and Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“But we feel the need for a permanent and coordinated structure,” he said.

The minister said initiatives have been taken to provide advanced training to police personnel alongside establishing the cyber security unit to strengthen the Bangladesh Police’s ability to tackle cybercrime.

He said the police force currently has many members with engineering, IT and computer science backgrounds and their expertise would be utilised in building the proposed unit.

Emphasising the importance of training to enhance police capabilities and morale, the minister said facilities for international-standard training should be expanded alongside internal training to make master-trainer-level officers more effective.

“If necessary, trainers will be brought from abroad, or modern facilities will be developed to enhance the professional skills of officers,” he said, adding that this would help keep the police force fully prepared to combat all forms of crime, including crimes in cyberspace.

At the meeting, the minutes of the 20th Governing Board meeting were presented and approved subject to necessary amendments, while progress in implementing decisions taken at the previous meeting was reviewed.

The meeting discussed in detail a number of issues, including the MRT proposal for use of PSC land; allocation of funds for overseas components of mandatory training courses; establishment of a full-fledged and independent “Research and Innovation Centre” under Bangladesh Police Staff College; government approval of PSC regulations; a proposal to make completion of mandatory training a priority condition for promotion and posting; and initiatives to organise training in Bangladesh and send trainees abroad as a member institution of INTERPA (International Association of Police Academies).

The meeting also discussed PSC infrastructure development, introduction of Master’s in Forensic Science and Master’s in Financial Crime and Governance courses, celebration of the silver jubilee of Police Staff College and “Training for the SAARC Countries”.

Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry and Vice Chairman of the Governing Board Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, BPATC  Rector Sayeed Mahbub Khan and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, among others, attended the programme.

Later, the home minister visited the Police Staff College campus, reports BSS.