Phoenix Summit 2026, one of Bangladesh's largest
cybersecurity convergence platforms, concluded on Saturday with a closing
ceremony held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in
Dhaka. The five-day summit was organised to strengthen Bangladesh's
cybersecurity capabilities, promote digital resilience, and expand
cybersecurity cooperation among emerging economies under the theme
"Closing the Cyber Gap in Emerging Economies."
The closing ceremony was attended by Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP,
Minister of Information and Broadcasting, as Chief Guest. Policymakers,
industry representatives, technology experts, researchers, students, and
participants from home and abroad were also present.
Throughout the summit, expert panel discussions were held on
cybersecurity, digital resilience, protection of critical national
infrastructure, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and strategies
for addressing evolving global cyber threats. Local and international experts
shared their experiences, research findings, and policy recommendations.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Minister of
Information and Broadcasting said, "During a recent visit to China, we
held discussions with their policymakers on technology and how we can draw on
their knowledge, experience, technical expertise, and soft power. Our Prime
Minister is actively thinking about how to leverage these opportunities. A
significant proportion of our population is young, and this demographic reality
can be a major advantage for us if we approach it in a planned and strategic
manner. This summit reflects the enormous potential that exists among our
youth. I extend my special thanks to the organisers for making this event
possible."
Speaking at the closing ceremony, ASM Shamim Reza, Founder
and Chief of Research of The Team Phoenix Group, said, "Phoenix Summit
Dhaka 2026 is a collective effort to strengthen and unify Bangladesh's
cybersecurity ecosystem. The participation of policymakers, cybersecurity
professionals, researchers, students, and technology practitioners from across
the globe exceeded our expectations. The knowledge exchange, collaboration
opportunities, and innovative ideas generated during the summit will play an
important role in enhancing Bangladesh's digital security and resilience. We
believe the connections and initiatives fostered here will contribute
significantly to building a safer digital Bangladesh."
The summit was organised by The Team Phoenix Group (TTPG)
and powered by BRAC Bank PLC. According to the organisers, more than 10,000
participants engaged in various conference sessions, workshops, exhibitions,
and networking activities throughout the five-day event. A total of 73
organisations showcased their solutions and services through exhibition stalls,
while 18 university club partners and three local and international knowledge
partners also participated.
Several prestigious recognitions were presented during the
event. In recognition of its dedication, teamwork, and significant
contributions to cybersecurity awareness and community development, the Cyber
Security Club of Islamic University was honored at the event.
Joyeeta Sen Rimpee, Deputy General Manager (DOMAIN) at BTCL,
received special recognition for her remarkable contributions to the
cybersecurity sector and for inspiring future generations of women to pursue
careers in the field.
The Lifetime Honour Award was presented to Sumon Ahmed
Sabir, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Fiber at Home, in recognition of his
lifelong dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to the
cybersecurity industry. Organizers praised his pivotal role in advancing
Bangladesh’s cybersecurity ecosystem and his continued efforts to foster
innovation and professional excellence in the sector.
The first three days of the summit, which began on 23 June,
featured a series of technical workshops at the Krishibid Institution
Bangladesh (KIB). Among them, the "Practical Cyber Investigation"
workshop, conducted with support from the National Cyber Security Agency
(NCSA), attracted significant interest. Additional hands-on training sessions
included "DevSecOps for Practitioners," "Master Application
Security: Vulnerability Management and Penetration Testing," and "Ransomware
Mechanics."
The summit was supported by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, the ICT Division, and the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).
BRAC Bank PLC served as Powered By Sponsor, while Axiatax PLC joined as In
Association with Sponsor.
Gold Sponsors included Bank Asia, Eastern Bank PLC (EBL),
Magnus Corporation, SANS Institute, MGH, Mohammad & Sons, and Meghna Group
of Industries. Silver Sponsors included City Bank PLC and Maxcrete. Bronze
Sponsors included Agroshift, Gold Kinen, APNIC, BGI, Saiham Knit Composite
Limited, Citizens Bank, Bengal Infosec Limited, and Orange Solution Limited.
The summit's Cybersecurity Knowledge Partners were APNIC, SANS Institute, and Resecurity. Flexoptix GmbH served as Fellowship Partner, while SCITP and ISPAB joined as Strategic Partners
