In 2022, the Bangladeshi government launched Bangladesh Vision 2041 — the country’s economic growth strategy and digitization strategy designed to propel Bangladesh toward its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2041. Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) play a critical role in Bangladesh’s digitalization agenda, accounting for a quarter of domestic employment and contributing to over 80 percent of the country’s export earnings. In driving this transformation effort, further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many MSMEs and small businesses turned to digital tools and online platforms to sustain their operations.

Still, the dangers that accompany digitization present significant barriers to the execution of this vision. Cybercrime is prevalent in Bangladesh and severely affects both households and businesses alike. Digital harms, including malware, ransomware attacks, online scams, cybertheft, cyberbullying, digital property destruction, and the spread of misinformation threaten business growth while the lack of cybersecurity education and awareness among entrepreneurs jeopardizes their economic resilience. As many Bangladeshi business owners navigate a rapidly evolving digital world, MSMEs’ vulnerability to virtual attacks not only drains resources from the nation’s economy but also endangers the lives of individual citizens.

Recognizing gaps in cybersecurity awareness in Bangladesh, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed Digital Frontiers’ South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI) activity. Funded under the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) and managed by USAID’s implementing partner DAI, SARDI propels digital connectivity and economic development in South Asia by strengthening the digital capacity of MSMEs, raising awareness around critical cybersecurity issues, and fostering opportunities for MSMEs to engage on digital policy issues.