Digital Safety & Security Initiative
Strengthening the digital resilience of marginalized communities and civil society — safe, secure, and rights-based.
Digital technologies have created new opportunities for connection, learning, and civic participation. However, for gender-diverse people, human rights defenders, journalists, and grassroots civil society organizations in Bangladesh — particularly those in rural areas — the digital space has also become a source of surveillance, online harassment, doxxing, blackmail, misinformation, and targeted attacks. Noboprobhaat Foundation’s Digital Safety & Security Initiative was established to strengthen the digital resilience of marginalized communities and civil society actors by promoting safe, secure, and rights-based use of digital technologies.
Five interconnected pillars
We provide practical training on digital safety, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves online. Our training covers topics such as:
- Password management and password managers
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Secure communication platforms
- Safe use of social media and dating applications
- Phishing and scam prevention
- Device and account security
- Privacy settings and digital footprint management
- Secure file storage and encryption
- Safe remote working practices
Our training is designed specifically for grassroots organizations, community leaders, activists, and vulnerable populations with varying levels of digital literacy.
Strong organizations require strong digital systems. We support community-based organizations (CBOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) to improve their institutional digital security by:
- Conducting digital risk assessments
- Developing Digital Security Policies
- Establishing incident response procedures
- Improving data protection practices
- Introducing secure document management systems
- Supporting secure communication protocols
- Building organizational cybersecurity awareness
Communities frequently experience online threats including:
- Online harassment
- Identity exposure (doxxing)
- Hacking attempts
- Account compromise
- Impersonation
- Blackmail and extortion
- Non-consensual sharing of personal information
Our initiative helps organizations and individuals identify risks early, respond effectively to incidents, document violations, and connect with appropriate technical or legal support where necessary.
Digital security is not only about technology — it is also about human rights. We promote:
- Safe civic participation online
- Freedom of expression
- Privacy rights
- Responsible digital citizenship
- Ethical online engagement
- Countering online misinformation and hate speech
- Inclusive and safer online spaces for marginalized communities
To ensure long-term sustainability, we develop practical resources that organizations can continue using independently, including:
- Digital Security Guidelines
- Organizational Security Checklists
- Risk Assessment Tools
- Incident Reporting Templates
- Training Manuals
- Awareness Materials
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Key target groups
Community-centered, practical, context-specific
Our work is community-centered, practical, and context-specific. Rather than relying solely on technical solutions, we combine digital security with organizational resilience, risk management, human rights, and community empowerment. Every intervention is adapted to the local context, available resources, and the specific threats faced by participants.
Selected activities
Digital Safety and Security Training for community members and activists.
Safe Social Media and Dating App Safety workshops for gender-diverse individuals.
Development of Digital Security Guidelines for community-based organizations.
National consultations on digital and information security practices.
Organizational mentoring on digital security policies and risk management.
Awareness sessions on online privacy, cyber threats, and secure communications.
Safer digital spaces to communicate, organize, and advocate
The Digital Safety & Security Initiative aims to create safer digital environments where marginalized communities and grassroots organizations can communicate, organize, advocate, and access information without fear of surveillance, harassment, or digital attacks. By strengthening both individual and organizational resilience, the initiative contributes to a more secure, inclusive, and rights-respecting digital ecosystem in Bangladesh.