Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said cybersecurity has become a critical component of national security, stressing that Bangladesh must accelerate information technology adoption and develop a skilled workforce to keep pace with global technological advancement.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Phoenix Summit Dhaka 2026, powered by Brac Bank in association with Axentec by Robi Axiata, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital, the minister said the traditional concept of security has evolved significantly.
"Previously, security meant border security or law-and-order security. But that definition has changed. Cybersecurity is now one of the most important issues," he said.
Swapon noted that cybersecurity has become a global priority, adding that the issue was also discussed during recent talks between the leaders of two major world powers.
He said Bangladesh is still lagging behind in information technology adoption and needs to move faster to achieve its national development goals.
Highlighting the importance of skilled human resources, the minister said the country is facing a shortage of qualified IT professionals, which remains one of the major challenges to its digital transformation.
He called for coordinated efforts by the government, industry and educational institutions to formulate a comprehensive human resource development strategy for the IT sector.
The minister said young people should be encouraged and trained to prepare them for future technological challenges and emerging opportunities, adding that Bangladesh must think beyond immediate needs and focus on long-term technological advancement.
Swapon also emphasized stronger collaboration among the government, academia and the private sector to drive innovation and accelerate the country's digital transformation.
He stressed the need for a joint action plan to ensure the effective use of available resources and expertise, while learning from international best practices and adapting them to the local context.
The closing ceremony was also attended by Kinley Tshering, CPC of Thimphu TechPark; Adil Hossain Noble, Managing Director and CEO of Axentec PLC; Aminul Hakim, President of ISPAB; and Fauzia Idrees, Director of Cyber Security at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Bangladesh's cybersecurity convergence platform, The TeamPhoenix Group (TTPG), organized the Phoenix Summit 2026, held in the capital from June 23 to 27.
The five-day summit was hosted at two venues, with technical workshops held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) and the main conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
The summit aimed to strengthen Bangladesh's cybersecurity ecosystem through talent development, cross-sector collaboration and enhanced digital resilience.
A three-day International Cybersecurity Workshop Series, conducted by global experts from June 23 to 25 at KIB, focused on practical skill development in areas including Practical Cyber Investigation, DevSecOps for Practitioners, Application Security and Vulnerability Management, and Defensive Engineering for the Ransomware Lifecycle.
The International Cybersecurity Conference was subsequently held on June 26 and 27 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, bringing together policymakers, technology experts, industry leaders and cybersecurity professionals from Bangladesh and abroad.
The summit featured leadership dialogues and knowledge-sharing sessions involving delegates and experts from Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Malaysia.
The TeamPhoenix Group, in collaboration with 39 university clubs across the country, presented the Best Cybersecurity Club Award for the second consecutive year and the Women in Cybersecurity Award for the third consecutive year.