Cybersecurity Challenges and Strategies for Nepal: Insights from npCert Stakeholder Consultation

In a significant step towards nourishing Nepal’s digital infrastructure, the Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCert), in collaboration with the Center for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSR) and Texas College of Management and IT, organized a stakeholder consultation on the National Cybersecurity Policy 2080. This event gathered key stakeholders from various sectors, aiming to shape a robust and inclusive policy that reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of all parties across the nation. The event addressed rising cyber threats and presented a strategic roadmap to foster a secure and resilient digital environment in Nepal.

The Urgency of a Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Policy

The stakeholder consultation highlighted the necessity of a strong policy framework to protect the nation’s digital assets and ensure long-term resilience. Chiranjibi Adhikari, President of npCert, emphasized the growing vulnerabilities in Nepal’s digital infrastructure. Adhikari added that the huge rise in cyber threats requires a strong and well-defined policy framework to safeguard the nation’s digital assets. He highlighted that Nepal needs to establish a policy that not only addresses current challenges and future threats.

Cybersecurity Education: Building the Next Generation of Experts

Dr. Rajib Subba, a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) with a strong background in cyber-security, advocated for enhancing educational programs with a focus on practical skill development to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Dr. Subba argued that the existing curriculum is outdated and insufficient to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. He suggested that educational institutions need to focus more on practical training rather than theoretical knowledge.

Addressing Vulnerabilities in Cross-Border Financial Transactions

Ganesh Ghimire, a FinTech expert, provided a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-border transactions in Nepal. Ghimire pointed out that international financial dealing has brought significant benefits as well as introduced new vulnerabilities. Ghimire emphasized that regulatory and technological advancements are important to ensure the security of cross-border financial activities.

Promoting Cyber Literacy at the Grassroots Level

Another critical aspect discussed during the consultation was the importance of cyber literacy at the grassroots level. Resham Bhandari, representing InfoDevelopers, highlighted that there is a lack of awareness in general people about cyber security threats. He argued that raising awareness and understanding of cyber threats among the general population is essential for creating a secure digital environment. He advocated for community-level education initiatives to raise awareness and understand cyber threats among the general population. Bhandari’s emphasis on grassroots education reflects a broader strategy to enhance national cybersecurity from the ground up.

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Bridging the Gap Between Policy Formulation and Implementation

Sharad Chandra Pyakurel, a key participant in the consultation, highlighted the slow pace between the formulation of cybersecurity policies and their implementation. Pyakurel argued that for Nepal to make meaningful progress in cybersecurity, it is essential to bridge this gap.

The Role of Law Enforcement and Legal Frameworks

Birendra Singh Dhami, who has extensive experience in analyzing cybercrime incidents, presented several case studies that highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies. Dhami emphasized the need for more effective legal frameworks that can effectively address the new challenges posed by cybercrime.

Collaboration: The Cornerstone of Effective Cybersecurity

Dr. Suman Thapaliya, Head of the IT Department, underscored the importance of collaboration among all relevant stakeholders in the development of a comprehensive cybersecurity policy. He argued that cybersecurity is a complex challenge that cannot be addressed by any single organization. Therefore, it requires the collective effort of government agencies, private sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Thapaliya suggested that by involving different stakeholders, the policy would be more strong and effective in addressing the challenges of cybersecurity.

Enhancing Incident Response Capabilities

Dhurba Raj Sharma (Sudip), General Secretary of npCert, elaborated on the critical role of effective incident handling in enhancing national cybersecurity. He emphasized that to prevent cyber-attacks, it is equally important to have robust incident handling protocols across all areas. Sharma also highlighted the importance of ongoing training and awareness programs to ensure that individuals and organizations are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to cyber threats.

npCert’s Role in Shaping Nepal’s Cybersecurity Landscape

The Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCert) plays an important role in enhancing cybersecurity in Nepal by promoting security awareness across various sectors, including industry, academia, and the public sector. npCert focuses on the research and analysis of cybersecurity incidents, actively gathering and disseminating technical information to build up national cyber resilience. With these powerful initiatives, Nepal will be closer to developing a more secure and resilient digital infrastructure.

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