Bangladesh Bank is planning to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based cybersecurity policy to help banks and financial institutions tackle emerging cyber threats.

The central bank has formed a committee comprising government officials, private sector representatives, university teachers and IT experts to formulate the policy.

The proposed guidelines will focus on strengthening IT infrastructure, improving threat detection and upgrading security systems to prevent sophisticated cyberattacks.

“We will formulate the policy soon and provide necessary guidelines to scheduled banks and financial institutions. Accordingly, they will update their IT systems,” Muhammad Zakir Hasan, executive director of Bangladesh Bank’s ICT department, told BSS.

He said the central bank had already issued comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines and maintained a trained team to monitor potential threats.

The initiative follows Bangladesh Bank’s introduction of its Cybersecurity Framework, Version 1.0 (2026), on March 29, covering banks, finance companies and payment service providers. Regulated institutions have been given until December 31, 2026, to implement the framework.

Abdul Quaium Chowdhury, additional managing director of SBAC Bank PLC, said banks needed continuous monitoring, modern security solutions, skilled manpower and regular employee training to address evolving cyber risks.

He also stressed stronger cooperation between banks and the central bank to protect customer information and ensure secure digital financial services.

The proposed policy is expected to strengthen cybersecurity across Bangladesh’s increasingly digital financial sector and help maintain public confidence in banking services.