Safeguarding & Protection
Our commitment to national cybersecurity excellence is matched by our dedication to human-centric safety standards.
Introduction
A fundamental pillar of our technical and institutional integrity.
CCoE works with university students, young professionals, and participants in the Cybersecurity Olympiad who may include individuals under 18. We take our duty of care seriously.
This Safeguarding Policy sets out our commitment to protecting all participants from harm, abuse, exploitation, and neglect — and defines how CCoE staff, trainers, and volunteers are expected to behave to uphold that commitment.
Scope
Global Accountability Framework.
This policy applies to all CCoE programs, events, online platforms, and community spaces. It covers all staff, trainers, volunteers, advisors, and anyone acting in a CCoE capacity who has contact with participants.
Our Commitments
First Priority
The safety and wellbeing of participants — particularly young people — is our first priority in all program decisions.
Training
All CCoE trainers, staff, and volunteers engaging directly with participants receive safeguarding awareness guidance before they begin.
No Risk
CCoE will never place a participant in a situation that puts them at unreasonable risk of harm.
Prompt Action
Concerns about the welfare of a participant will always be taken seriously and acted upon promptly.
Zero Tolerance
CCoE does not tolerate any form of abuse, exploitation, or harassment of participants by staff, trainers, volunteers, or other participants.
Standards of Behavior — Staff & Trainers
Must
Treat all participants with dignity and respect at all times.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries — do not develop personal relationships with participants outside of CCoE program contexts.
Never meet with participants one-on-one outside of official, observable program settings without prior authorization from CCoE management.
Not share personal contact details with participants for non-program purposes.
Report any safeguarding concern immediately to the CCoE Safeguarding Lead.
Must Never
Use physical, verbal, or emotional abuse or punishment of any kind.
Engage in any sexual contact or inappropriate behavior with any participant.
Take photographs or record video of participants without explicit consent and CCoE authorization.
Share participant personal information without authorization.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you witness or experience behavior that raises a safeguarding concern — or if a participant discloses harm to you — act immediately:
Do not attempt to investigate the concern yourself.
Report the concern to the CCoE Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.
If the participant is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
Record the facts as accurately as possible — what was said or observed, when, and by whom.
Direct Assistance
CCoE Safeguarding Lead
safeguarding@ccoe.bd
FOR URGENT SITUATIONS
999
Contact local emergency services (Bangladesh: 999) before contacting CCoE.
Participant Self-Report
Any participant who feels unsafe in a CCoE environment may contact safeguarding@ccoe.bd or approach any CCoE trainer or staff member.
Online Safety
CCoE operates an online learning platform and community spaces. The following standards apply to all online interactions:
CCoE online spaces are moderated. Inappropriate content will be removed and the source will be reviewed under the Code of Conduct.
Participants should not share personal identifying information (home address, financial information, etc.) in CCoE community forums or group channels.
Any online behavior that causes distress or harm to another participant should be reported to conduct@ccoe.bd.
Policy Review
This Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually and updated as required. Staff and trainers are informed of updates as they occur.
The Cyber Security Center of Excellence (CCoE) is a national initiative designed to strengthen Bangladesh’s cybersecurity ecosystem by developing skilled professionals, enabling real-world security operations, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and community stakeholders.
This work was supported by a grant from the APNIC Foundation, via the ISIF Asia fund.
Information
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