Published: 04:30 PM, 06 October 2026
Afsara Tasnim Shama Receives Cyber Security Research & Innovation Award 2026
Afsara Tasnim Shama has received the Cyber Security Research & Innovation Award 2026 at the prestigious International Royal Golden Fellow Award 2026 Ceremony and the Fifth International Conference on Recent Trends in Multidisciplinary Research (ICORM 5.0) 2026.
The international event was held on September 28 (Monday) and 29 (Tuesday), 2026. During the event, the selection committee reviewed a wide range of high-quality research submissions. Shama’s research abstract was recognized for its strong insights and close alignment with the conference theme, leading to her selection as one of the distinguished recipients of the Cyber Security Research & Innovation Award 2026.
The award was conferred by Eudoxia Research University, USA, and the Eudoxia Research Centre, India.
At ICORM 5.0-2026, Shama presented a U.S.-focused study examining the growing challenge of protecting customer privacy as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into modern banking. Banks are increasingly using AI to monitor transactions, detect suspicious activities and support financial decision-making.
Her research examined whether financial institutions can protect sensitive customer information, provide adequate explanations for AI-assisted decisions and maintain accountability when automated systems influence financial processes.
The study was based on data collected from 165 banking professionals in the United States. It identified a clear gap between ethical AI governance and transparency. Ethical AI governance recorded the highest level of implementation at 67.9 percent, while transparency in AI-based surveillance stood at 47.3 percent. Privacy breaches and the misuse of customer data were also identified as major concerns.
The findings underscore the need to combine AI-driven innovation with effective oversight, strong privacy safeguards and institutional accountability.
The award selection process for ICORM 5.0-2026 was conducted under the supervision of an international Central Organizing Committee comprising scholars and institutional leaders from different countries. The committee included Chief Patron Prof. Dr. Rhituraj Saikia, President of Eudoxia Research University, USA; Patron Prof. Dr. Caleb Moyo; Convener Prof. Dr. Pratisha Kumari; Organizing Secretary Dr. Rania Lampou; and other international academic and research representatives.
Although the findings have direct relevance to U.S. financial institutions, the concerns addressed by the research have broader international significance. While AI can help banks detect fraud more quickly, customers also have a legitimate interest in understanding how their personal information is being used and who is accountable when automated systems influence important decisions.
The study is also relevant to Bangladesh, where the financial services sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation. As technology continues to reshape financial services, the research highlights the importance of strengthening transparency, customer protection and accountability alongside technological advancement.
Through her research, Shama highlights a central challenge of the AI era: technological capabilities must advance alongside public trust and institutional responsibility. Her U.S.-focused study contributes to the growing international discussion on how AI can be adopted without compromising privacy and accountability, with particular relevance to Bangladesh and other emerging digital economies.
The Cyber Security Research & Innovation Award 2026 recognizes Shama’s research contribution at the intersection of cybersecurity, privacy and responsible artificial intelligence.
