Bangladesh Airports on High Alert After Global Cyberattacks

Bangladesh Airports on High Alert After Global Cyberattacks

Bangladesh has placed all its international and domestic airports on the highest security alert following a wave of cyberattacks targeting major airports in Europe, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing the need to safeguard the country’s aviation systems and ensure uninterrupted air operations amid growing cyber threats.

A directive signed by Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan, CAAB’s Member (Planning and Operations), was sent to all airport heads and senior officials, detailing ten key precautionary measures.

The instructions call for enhanced vigilance and stronger cybersecurity protocols. Officials have been advised to use complex passwords, avoid suspicious emails or links, update all software and antivirus programmes regularly, and refrain from using pirated software or installing personal apps on official devices.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now mandatory across all systems, and any suspected cyber incidents must be reported immediately to CAAB’s Cyber Emergency Response Team (CAAB-CERT), its IT department, and the National Cyber Incident Response Team.

Sources at CAAB said the decision follows an internal meeting on 15 September that reviewed recent cyberattack patterns and risk mitigation steps. Officials discussed how several London airports had briefly suspended operations after cyber intrusions, prompting Bangladesh to bolster its digital and operational defences.

The meeting also revealed that CAAB’s own website had recently come under cyberattack, leading the National Cyber Security Agency to recommend a rapid risk assessment.

In response, CAAB is considering hiring a professional cybersecurity firm to conduct a full audit of its digital systems and strengthen the nation’s aviation cyber defences.