In today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity has evolved from a technical concern into a core element of national security and strategic capability. Nations are no longer judged solely by economic or military strength, but also by their ability to defend digital infrastructure, protect sensitive data and respond effectively to cyber threats. As governments, financial systems, telecommunications and even critical infrastructure become increasingly digitised, cyber resilience has become indispensable. For Bangladesh, which is rapidly advancing in digital transformation, the challenge is how to build a strong, self-reliant cybersecurity ecosystem from the ground up.
Countries have already taken decisive steps in this direction by building strong cyber ecosystems supported by training platforms and cyber ranges. The United States leads this domain with a highly mature cybersecurity industry where government agencies, private companies and academia operate in an integrated model. A significant portion of global cyber defence innovation originates from the United States. Cyber ranges are widely used to simulate real-world attack scenarios and train cyber professionals across sectors. However, a common limitation across many of countries is that their cyber ranges are often developed for specific sectors such as defence or law enforcement and are not always directly adaptable to broader national contexts without significant customisation.
For Bangladesh, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Unlike other countries, Bangladesh is still in early stages of building a structured cybersecurity ecosystem. While digital adoption is rapidly increasing, especially in financial technology, telecommunications and government services, the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals remains very limited. This gap creates a serious risk as organisations may deploy advanced technologies but lack the human expertise required to operate, monitor and respond effectively. As a result, cyber threats such as DDoS attacks, ransomware, phishing and advanced persistent threats can have a greater impact. Without proper training environments, professionals cannot gain real-world experience, making preparedness difficult. This is why the need for a cyber range in Bangladesh is not only important but also essential.
Bangladesh requires more than policy discussions or theoretical training, it needs a practical, controlled environment where cybersecurity skills can be developed through real-world simulation. A national-level platform is essential where professionals can experience cyberattacks, analyse them and respond effectively in a risk-free setting. Such an environment would not only bridge the gap between knowledge and operational readiness but also strengthen the overall cyber resilience. In this regard, a humble effort may be considered through an initiative known as MIST CyberForge, which serves as a practical example of how indigenous capability can be developed within the country.
The Military Institute of Science and Technology Cyber Range represents Bangladesh’s first major step towards building an indigenous cyber defence capability. What makes it particularly remarkable is that it has been designed and built entirely using in-house resources. At a time when many institutions rely heavily on foreign vendors or imported solutions, MIST has demonstrated that Bangladesh possesses the technical expertise and institutional capability to develop complex cybersecurity infrastructure independently. This approach not only ensures cost efficiency but also provides full control over the system, allowing it to be customised according to national requirements.
During the initial phase, efforts were made to recruit skilled professionals. However, even after evaluating around 450 candidates, it became evident that the required level of expertise and commitment was not readily available. Rather than compromising or outsourcing, MIST decided to rely on its own resources. With proper guidance and supervision, MIST own resources were engaged to design, develop and run the entire system. This decision not only addressed the immediate resource gap but also created a new generation of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals who gained hands-on experience by building a real-world national asset.
From a development perspective, the cyber range was built through a structured approach focusing on stability, scalability and operational readiness. It involved establishing infrastructure, integrating networking and security components, implementing system hardening and optimisation, and developing realistic cyber attack scenarios with automation capabilities. A mature monitoring and response pipeline, similar to a security operations centre, was also developed and tuned according to industry practices. The system was further validated through testing, audits and user acceptance processes to ensure that it can operate effectively under real-world conditions.
The MIST Cyber Range can evolve into a national capability-building platform that goes far beyond conventional training. Initially designed as a defensive environment, it has the potential to be extended into offensive domains, including controlled attack simulation, digital forensics analysis, and secure software testing environments. Such expansion would enable a full-spectrum cybersecurity ecosystem where professionals can not only respond to threats but also understand attacker behaviour, develop countermeasures and improve system resilience. In parallel, this platform can support the development of operational environments similar to security or network operations centres, allowing continuous monitoring, analysis and response practices in a simulated yet realistic setting.
From a broader perspective, this capability also opens opportunities beyond national boundaries. As the global demand for cybersecurity services continues to grow, particularly in developing regions, Bangladesh can position itself as a provider of skilled cybersecurity resources. Markets in regions such as Africa and other emerging economies, where cyber capabilities are still developing, can be potential areas for collaboration, training and service support. By leveraging such a platform, Bangladesh cannot only strengthen its internal resilience but also can gradually enter the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
At the national level, the cyber range can play a critical role in building a skilled work force by enabling structured, hands-on learning across key domains such as network security, cloud security, incident response and digital investigation. Rather than limiting learning to theoretical knowledge, this approach ensures practical exposure, allowing students, professionals and organisations to develop real-world skills aligned with evolving cyber threats. In this way, the platform contributes not only to individual skills development but also to the long-term strengthening of cybersecurity capacity.
The platform is not limited to defensive applications only. While it is designed primarily as a cyber defence training environment, it has strong potential to be extended into offensive domains such as red teaming, penetration testing, advanced malware analysis and cyber warfare simulations. This dual capability can transform the platform into a full-spectrum cyber capability centre, aligning with global best practices.
The significance of the MIST Cyber Range extends far beyond academia. It is designed to serve a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, the law enforcement agencies, military and defence personnel, financial institutions and telecommunications operators. Government agencies can use it to enhance national cybersecurity readiness and policy implementation. Law enforcement can leverage it for cybercrime investigation training. Military units can simulate cyber warfare scenarios, while financial and telecom sectors can test their systems against realistic attack vectors. At the same time, own resources and IT professionals can develop practical skills that significantly enhance their employability and effectiveness in the cybersecurity domain.
In conclusion, the MIST Cyber Range represents a transformative step in Bangladesh’s journey towards cyber resilience and self-reliance. By building the system in-house, empowering local talent, and creating a realistic training environment, MIST has set a powerful example for the nation. The development of the CyberForge platform was achieved at nearly one-fifteenth of the cost of conventional external solutions, reflecting not only exceptional cost efficiency but also the strength of indigenous innovation and resource optimisation. As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and scale, such initiatives will play a crucial role in ensuring that Bangladesh is not only prepared to defend itself but also capable of contributing to the global cybersecurity landscape.
Brigadier general Mohammad Shahjahan Majib is dean of electronic and communication engineering and Shamsad Binte Ehsan (Shukti) is a cyber secrity specialist of the MIST Cyber Range at the Military Institute of Science and Technology.