Bangladesh has finalised a risk context statement and streamlined intelligence-sharing procedures for the civil aviation sector as part of preparations for the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security audit.
The decisions came at the second meeting of the Civil Aviation Threat and Risk Assessment Committee (CATRAC) on Thursday at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters in Dhaka, said a press release.
The meeting, chaired by CATRAC President and CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, discussed emerging security threats including terrorism, cyber risks, insider threats, IED and drone attacks. Representatives from the Civil Aviation Ministry, CAAB, Bangladesh Air Force intelligence, Armed Police Battalion, Customs Intelligence, national security intelligence, defence intelligence and police special branch attended.
The Chairman said the Civil Aviation Risk Context Statement has been finalised and intelligence-sharing procedures have been specified, which are critical for the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach.
The meeting placed special emphasis on strengthening airport cybersecurity. Authorities have included cybersecurity in the National Civil Aviation Security Programme and the Aviation Security Training Programme, and initiated Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Directives.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Bangladesh Computer Council’s e-Gov CIRT for cybersecurity audits. Airports have been declared Critical Information Infrastructure and the National Cybersecurity Agency is providing regular guidance.
The meeting also discussed developing a Higher-Risk Designation List for aircraft search requirements.
CAAB Security Member Air Commodore Asif Iqbal stressed the importance of effective risk assessment and information exchange to successfully face the ICAO audit.
The next CATRAC meeting is scheduled for the first week of February 2027, the press release added.
