Microsoft signs agreement with ICT Ministry on Government Security Programme (GSP)

Microsoft signed an agreement with the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology on Government Security Program (GSP). As part of the agreement, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) provides Bangladesh Cyber Threat Intelligence Programme (CTIP) data to the National Data Centre and CIRT team of the ministry.

The agreement was signed today at the ICT Ministry in presence of Hon. 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. Mr. 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.

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) based in Seattle, USA has two key focus areas. 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. 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, Hon. 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 cybersecurity to help our customers create a safe, secure and reliable computing experience. Furthermore, in order for a cybersecurity practice to be successful, organizations need to consider People, Process and Technology, and how each of these contributes to the overall security posture of the organization,” 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, “Microsoft has a longstanding relationship with the Bangladesh Government and we are also committed to the people of this country. 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.”

Bangladesh Computer Council’s mission is to manage cybersecurity in Bangladesh Government’s e-Government network and related infrastructure. They are working to establish national cybersecurity incident management capabilities in Bangladesh, and the report will help them in fulfilling this task by assisting the government to tackle financial or identity theft, advertising click fraud, and any other form of scams and crimes.