Asia Foundation trains more than 90,000 small entrepreneurs in cyber security

The Asia Foundation and the Sajeda Foundation have run a nationwide training programme to raise awareness of cyber security. Since July 2024, more than 90,000 entrepreneurs have been trained in cyber hygiene under the programme.

The information was shared at an event in Dhaka on Wednesday titled 'CyberReady: Celebrating the Journey of Cyber-Safe MSME'. The event was organised to mark the closing of a project titled the 'APAC Cyber Security Fund'.

The Asia Foundation is running the APAC Cyber Security Fund with financial support from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of search engine Google. The Sajeda Foundation is the project's local partner, and it shared the information in a press release.

Speakers at the event said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology, making cyber security essential for them.

According to the speakers, cyber attacks, phishing and fraudulent transactions can reduce a small business's income, damage its relationship with customers, and even put it at risk of closing down. Cyber security, they said, should therefore not be seen as only a technical matter; it is now also an important part of economic development.

Kazi Faisal Bin Siraj, country representative of the Asia Foundation, said at the event that protection from fraud and exploitation is needed in the digital world just as in real life.

Anthea Mulakala, senior director of the Asia Foundation's Digital Economy programme, said cyber hygiene helps protect people's livelihoods, create new opportunities and build trust in digital systems. She described the project's experience in Bangladesh.

Cyber hygiene is the practice of following rules and procedures to keep digital devices, networks and sensitive data safe from cyber threats.

Md Nomanuzzaman, senior director of the Sajeda Foundation, and Ijlal Hossain, senior programme manager at the Asia Foundation, said the programme worked because staff involved in microfinance activities were used as trainers. Since they already had trust and understanding with local communities, the training knowledge could be spread easily.

A panel discussion titled 'Building a Cyber-Resilient Digital Ecosystem for MSMEs in Bangladesh' was held at the event. Muntasir Tahmid Chowdhury, managing director of Inspira Advisory and Consulting, said cybercrime is now a major threat for small businesses in remote areas as well as for large firms. Awareness, effective protection measures and cooperation among stakeholders are needed to tackle this risk, he said.

Fazlul Haque, deputy CEO of the Sajeda Foundation, said many entrepreneurs are using digital services without adequate knowledge of passwords, account security and online risks. Noting that fraudsters regularly change their tactics, he said cyber security practice must continue.

Md Khairul Anam, additional director of Bangladesh Bank, and Nadia Subramaniam, director of digital skills at the Asia Foundation, also spoke at the event.