Safe internet awareness campaign to be organised throughout October 

With the theme “Stay Aware, Be Cyber Smart,” the ninth Cyber Security Awareness Month (CAM) campaign is set to be organised in October 2024.

Throughout the four weeks of October, various awareness programs focusing on four distinct topics will be held nationwide.

The month-long program is being implemented by the National Committee on Cyber Security Awareness (NCCA) and the Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (SCAF).

Details of the campaign were presented at a press conference in the capital on Saturday (28 September).

Mobile phone operator Robi, technology service provider F5, and Shohoz are sponsoring the month-long initiative. Media Mix Communications and Cyber Paradise Limited are collaborating as partner organisations.

The campaign will focus on four distinct topics throughout the month. The first week will address “Personal Data Protection,” followed by the second week, which will cover “Preventing Online Shopping Fraud.” The third week will concentrate on “Cyberbullying,” and the fourth week will focus on “Online Safety for Women and Children.”

Various programs such as seminars, discussion meetings, debate competitions, roundtable discussions, quizzes, and webinars will be organised in Dhaka and across the country.

Abdullah Nayeem, Coordinator of the SCAF Program Cell, presented the campaign details at the press conference. 

Other speakers included NCCA Secretary Engineer Md Mushfiqur Rahman, SCAF Advisor Engineer Syed Zahid Hossain, Shohoz Country Manager and NCCA member Abul Hasnat Mohsin, Robi’s Vice President of Cyber Security and Privacy Sanjay Chakraborty, F5 Digital Territory Account Manager Md Ahsan Habib, and Chairman of Cyber Paradise Limited and CEO of Media Mix Communications Abdullah Hasan. The event was moderated by SCAF General Secretary Nurun Ashrafi, who facilitated the discussion following a welcome address by SCAF President Kazi Mustafiz.

The speakers said that while October is recognized worldwide as Cyber Security Awareness Month, these practices should be followed year-round to ensure personal safety. Given the evolving nature of cybercrime, regular awareness programs are essential.

In his welcome address, SCAF President Kazi Mustafiz stated that fostering a culture of safe technology use is key to ensuring cyber security. He called on everyone to participate in the month-long CAM campaign, aiming to build a responsible and healthy cyberculture through behavioural changes driven by public awareness.

Other attendees at the press conference included SCAF Vice President SM Imdadul Haque, Treasurer Mominul Islam, Executive Member for Research and Training Abdul Munayem Saikat, Program Officer Rahat Hossain, and Assistant Program Officer Shariful Islam.