In a recent event held at the Presidential Business School in Thapagaon, stakeholders gathered to discuss the National Cyber Security Policy 2080. The program, chaired by Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, President of the Center for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSRI) Nepal , aimed to address the challenges and issues surrounding the policy.
During the discussion, participants expressed their concerns about the unilateral issuance of the policy without proper consultation with stakeholders. They emphasized the importance of including suggestions and feedback from the general public in the Cyber Security Policy 2080. Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, in his remarks, assured that necessary steps will be taken to incorporate the suggestions received from stakeholders into the policy. He emphasized the need to prioritize the interests of the common citizens in the formulation of the security policy.
Chiranjibii Adhikari, General Secretary of the CAN Federation, criticized the government for its lack of coordination with relevant agencies and accused it of not taking any significant actions, such as protests or movements, to address the concerns of the private sector. Adhikari highlighted the substantial investments made by the private sector in the IT industry and urged the government to pay proper attention to it. Bhimdhwoj Shrestha from CSRI Nepal pointed out that several aspects of the government-issued cyber security policy were not adequately addressed.
Yasmin Bhattarai, Head of Information Technology at Ncell, acknowledged that Nepal lags behind other countries in terms of cyber security. However, she praised the Cyber Security Policy 2080 for its efforts to raise public awareness about cyber security issues among the general population. Bandana Sharma, from the cyber security department of Nepal Bank, stressed the importance of public awareness and the need for the government to prioritize cyber security. She suggested that the government should consider the cyber sector as critical infrastructure and give special attention to the security of banks, hospitals, and insurance companies, as they are responsible for safeguarding people’s property.
Overall, the interaction program provided a platform for stakeholders to voice their concerns and contribute to the development of the National Cyber Security Policy 2080. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in formulating effective cyber security policies that address the needs and interests of all stakeholders.
