Amidst the looming risk of a “storm of assaults” within the nation’s cyber Assaults realm and up to date incidents of information breaches, each authorities establishments and personal banks are taking a spread of precautionary measures.
Some have sought help from the federal government’s Info and Communication Know-how (ICT) division, whereas others have established their very own cyber safety groups.
Presently, three organizations are recognized to have shaped Cyber Safety Groups or Laptop Emergency Response Groups (CERTs). These entities embody the Election Fee, Ganabhavan, and Titas Gasoline Transmission and Distribution Firm.
The ever-present danger of cyber assaults necessitates fixed talent enhancement and vigilance, in keeping with IT Specialist Suman Ahmed.
Tariq Anis Khan, Common Supervisor of Titus ICT Department, knowledgeable Prothom Alo that their establishment has shaped a CERT and communicated their necessities to the ICT division for help.
On August 3, BGD e-Gov Cert, a cyber safety initiative by the ICT division, issued a warning concerning the potential risk of cyber assaults in Bangladesh. Particular hacker teams, figuring out as ‘hacktivists,’ issued threats aimed toward Bangladesh and Pakistan on August 15. These teams, claiming to be Indian hackers, have introduced their intentions.
Nonetheless, sources throughout the ICT division warning that whereas discussions of a “storm of assaults” flow into, precise assaults could or could not happen. Therefore, vigilance is essential for organizations in Bangladesh.
Nationwide Considerations and Response Methods Amid Rising Cyber Assaults
In response to the threats and knowledge leaks, the ICT division held a meeting on August 9 regarding essential data infrastructures. This assembly prompted organizations to conduct IT vulnerability audits.
Organizations expressed considerations throughout the assembly about their lack of expert IT personnel. They sought help from the ICT division. The division steered that organizations conduct audits and submit stories to non-public entities.
BGD e-Gov Cert’s ‘Bangladesh Cyber Menace Panorama Report-2022’ reveals {that a} vital 91.6% of cyber assaults or tried assaults within the nation are on account of insufficient infrastructure.
Amid the warnings, Bangladesh Financial institution issued 11-point directions to all banks and monetary establishments on August 10, emphasizing cyber assault precautions.
The Director Common of the Digital Safety Company, Abu Saeed Kamruzzaman, has underscored the necessity for warning and security in mild of those developments.
Since the specter of cyber assaults emerged, a number of web sites in Bangladesh have skilled Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Such assaults overload web sites, rendering them inaccessible. For a while now, hacker teams from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have been issuing threats and fascinating in reciprocal assaults. Latest efforts have seen these teams goal one another.
A weblog printed by Singapore-based cyber safety group Group-IB has talked about a gaggle named ‘Mysterious Crew Bangladesh.’ The group, established in 2020, gained notoriety in 2022 following cyber assaults in a number of international locations. They aim governments, monetary establishments, and the transportation sector.
The weblog additionally stories that ‘Mysterious Crew Bangladesh’ has executed over 750 DDoS assaults since June 2022, defacing 78 web sites.
Saiful Alam Khan, Director of BGD e-Gov Cert, clarified that such hackers do not essentially symbolize any particular nation. He pressured that these teams use the identify of a rustic to spotlight their actions.
He additional talked about that for the reason that warnings, not solely essential data infrastructure however different authorities establishments have additionally sought recommendation from SERT (Safety Emergency Response Crew). Many organizations are approaching SERT for IT vulnerability assessments.
Regrettably, prior to those warnings, many authorities establishments within the nation didn’t prioritize cyber safety for Cyber Assaults. In July 2022, ICT State Minister Junaid Ahmed highlighted the safety weaknesses of presidency companies, revealing that a few of the establishments labeled as essential data infrastructure had not responded to communication or observe directions.
Suman Ahmed, an data expertise professional, suggested that hacker teams function globally and typically create hype. Whereas there is not any have to panic, one shouldn’t ignore the potential threats. He emphasised that the chance of cyber assault is fixed, emphasizing the significance of enhancing abilities and training warning.
