SecureNet BD to train 1,000+ in nationwide cybersecurity drive

Team Phoenix Group is launching “SecureNet BD,” a nationwide cybersecurity capacity-building program that aims to train more than 1,000 people and seed community-driven defense capabilities across Bangladesh.

The initiative will be supported by a grant from the APNIC Foundation’s ISIF Asia programme, the company said, framing the project as a step change for cyber resilience beyond major cities.

Under SecureNet BD, organisers plan to establish a Cyber Security Centre of Excellence and a community-based Security Operations Center/Computer Security Incident Response Team (SOC/CSIRT). The platform will prioritise institutions with limited resources—such as regional NGOs, academic bodies and local organisations—and commit to at least 30% participation by women.

A dedicated cyber range is slated to provide hands-on labs for training, local research and live-fire defence exercises. The programme will also offer fellowships and mentorships to develop future leaders in the field.

Bangladesh’s rapid digitisation has coincided with a rise in cyberattacks and online threats; organisers say the project is designed to expand practical skills while strengthening incident response outside Dhaka and other hubs.

A.S.M. Shamim Reza, founder and chief of research at Team Phoenix Group, said the effort is “about empowering people as much as technology,” pairing international-standard training with community-led defence to build a more inclusive and sustainable security ecosystem.