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DASPiB

Developing Advanced Security Professionals in Bangladesh

Project Overview

The Developing Advanced Security Professionals in Bangladesh (DASPiB) project addressed the national shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts by delivering multi-level training for students, professionals, end users, and policymakers. Covering globally recognized certification tracks, it empowered over 460 participants with essential cybersecurity skills and international certifications.

460+ Participants Trained
22 Certified Professionals
5 Regional Coverage
4 Certification Tracks
20%

Female Participation

Promoting gender inclusion and diversity in cybersecurity

Regional Coverage

Dhaka
Rajshahi
Sylhet
Khulna
Chittagong

Training Tracks

Beginner
CEH
Certified Ethical Hacker

Early-career IT professionals trained in ethical hacking, vulnerability analysis, and foundational cybersecurity skills.

86 Trained
10 Certified
Intermediate
CySA+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst

Hands-on training for mid-level professionals in threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response.

20 Trained
5 Certified
Expert
CISSP
Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Advanced training for senior professionals covering governance, risk management, and secure system architecture.

15 Trained
2 Certified
Policy Makers
CISA
Certified Information Systems Auditor

Training for institutional leaders and government decision-makers in cybersecurity auditing and policy development.

20 Trained
5 Certified

CyberSAFE End User Program

Basic cyber hygiene, phishing awareness, and secure digital behavior training

300+ Users Trained

Partner Organizations

Daffodil International University
Lead Partner & Implementation
Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN)
Infrastructure & Network Support
Dr. Mohammad Shamsul Arefin
Principal Investigator, Professor CSE, DIU
Khandakar Rashedul Arefin
Co-PI, Manager Data Center, BdREN
Prof. Dr. Touhid Bhuiyan
Co-PI, Professor, DIU
Dr. Mohammed Nadir Bin Ali
Co-PI, Acting Registrar, DIU

Activities Conducted

Multi-Level Training Programs

Delivered beginner (CEH), intermediate (CySA+), expert (CISSP), and policy maker (CISA) training tracks across five regions in Bangladesh.

CyberSAFE End User Awareness

Educated over 300 general users on basic cyber hygiene, phishing awareness, and secure digital behavior practices.

Certification Exam Support

Provided exam coupons to top performers in each track to support their path to international cybersecurity certification.

Online Portal Development

Launched daspib.com to share training schedules, updates, resources, and project highlights.

Regional Workshops and Labs

Conducted practical sessions using real cybersecurity tools across five regions to reinforce learning through hands-on experience.

Industry-Academia Collaboration

Fostered partnerships between educational institutions, government agencies, and industry for sustainable cybersecurity development.

Key Outcomes

Skilled Workforce Pool

Established a national pool of certified cybersecurity professionals ready to serve in SOC, CERT, and CSIRT roles across Bangladesh.

Gender Inclusion Achievement

Successfully reserved 20% of all training seats for women, promoting diversity in the traditionally male-dominated cybersecurity field.

International Certifications

22 professionals achieved internationally recognized certifications (CEH, CySA+, CISSP, CISA), validating their cybersecurity expertise globally.

Regional Training Coverage

Successfully delivered training programs across five major regions: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna, and Chittagong.

Web Portal Launch

Launched daspib.com as a central hub for training resources, updates, and project showcase.

Policy Awareness

Trained 20 government and institutional leaders in cybersecurity auditing and policy development for national security enhancement.

Hands-on Experience

Provided practical training with real cybersecurity tools and scenarios through regional workshops and laboratory sessions.

Industry Readiness

Prepared cybersecurity professionals for immediate deployment in Security Operations Centers (SOC), Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT).

Relevant SDGs

SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 5: Gender Equality SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Challenges & Future Directions

Challenges Encountered

Low Certification Completion

Fewer trainees completed certification exams due to readiness, difficulty, or time constraints.

Limited Female Participation

Some regions struggled to fill the 20% female quota, highlighting gender participation challenges.

Varying Participant Skills

Mixed skill levels among participants required additional trainer support and customized approaches.

Compressed Timeline

Tight project schedule made multi-region coordination and comprehensive training delivery challenging.

Budget Constraints

Limited funding affected mentoring quality and exam support provision for participants.

Connectivity Issues

Internet problems in remote areas disrupted hybrid training sessions and online components.

Future Directions

  • Nationwide Expansion: Broaden program reach by including more universities and regional centers across Bangladesh
  • Refresher Courses: Offer periodic refresher and advanced courses to help trainees retain and upgrade skills
  • Enhanced Support: Provide comprehensive mentoring, certification guidance, and exam preparation materials
  • Female Participation Boost: Launch targeted campaigns, incentives, and scholarships to increase women's representation
  • Policy Implementation: Conduct policy-focused workshops to help trained officials implement cybersecurity strategies
  • Curriculum Integration: Collaborate with universities to include cybersecurity modules in regular academic programs
  • E-Learning Platform: Develop online platform for self-paced learning to increase accessibility and scalability
  • Industry Partnerships: Create connections between certified trainees and job opportunities with companies and NRENs