With the world rapidly becoming connected, developing countries like Nepal are also emerging as new potential targets for cybercrime. Digitalisation of services that has occurred so quickly —banking, education and more— now allows fantastic environments for development.
But, at the same time, it has also opened up the country to a plethora of cyber threats that India is not well-equipped for inmates. From the emergence of cybercrime in Nepal to why it is difficult for our country to deal with such a challenge against future enemies and what can be done.about cybersecurity awareness.
The digital revolution in Nepal
The digital revolution has made huge progress in Nepal over the last decade. Due to the proliferation of smartphones, internet and digital services, Nepalese citizens can now connect more easily while doing a variety of things. The state has also proposed e-governance initiatives that entail digitisation of public services intended to improve efficiency and transparency.
The digital revolution however has had its own share of challenges. This movement of more people and businesses online has brought a whole new level of threat landscape in Nepal. Furthermore, there is an increased dependence on digital platforms that have left individuals, businesses as well as government institutions highly exposed to cyber-attacks.
The rise of cybercrime in Nepal
Cybercrime has been increasing in Nepal as it is worldwide. According to the data collected by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, cases relating to cybercrime are in a soaring trend nowadays. These range from online frauds to identity thefts, hacking attempts and ransomware.
The general public has little-to-no cybersecurity education, and this is the single most important reason why cybercrimes have boomed so rapidly. For example, the average person does not even know what fundamental cybersecurity is about and hackers are quick to capitalise on this. Moreover, the SMEs ( small and medium enterprises) which are today the backbone of this country also don’t have enough resources or skilled staff to build robust cyber security systems for probable threats.
We also see an alarming trend in the number of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. This is the reason why Nepali banks fell victim to cyber-attacks in 2022 and subsequently, customer data was compromised affecting the closing of numerous accounts with substantial financial losses. This clearly shows the weaknesses of the financial sector in Nepal and also opens up vulnerabilities for more devastating strikes.
Challenges in combating cybercrime
There are many difficulties that Nepal is facing in managing the increasing threat of cybercrime. These problems are not specific to Nepal, but they occur in several developing countries that usually have resource constraints, knowledge gaps and infrastructure limitations.
A significant challenge is the lack of awareness of cybersecurity from the public’s perspective. Many residents are still unaware of online risks that might come into their lives.
This ignorance goes to every sector including companies as well as governments where much attention is not put on issues related to internet security. Also, there are no formal institutions for learning and training people on computer safety thus leaving many at risk from its hazards.
Nepal is at the beginning of its journey to establishing a sound cybersecurity architecture. There have been attempts to put in place some form of cyber defenses but for now, there lacks a good framework required for retaliation against hackers.
This includes a lack of responding agents in case there is an attack or the nonexistence of advanced detection systems that can sense potential danger befalling organisations or even persons as well as the absence of safe depositories for any important files. What is more, laws related to internet crimes are still emerging with old statutes not being able to capture this new wave effectively.
Numerous developing nations, including Nepal, have a shortage of expert cybersecurity personnel. Due to this high demand for cybersecurity experts that can never be met by supply alone, many companies lack the required capability to protect their computerised resources.
An important setback towards improving the national cyber security status quo is caused by this skills gap that makes it hard to respond to cyber events appropriately.
Though this has been acknowledged by the government. It is not supported due to limited resources and competing priorities while its manager is given the task of overseeing cybercrime cases even when most times they are underpaid and overworked. More so, coordination among various government institutions is lacking hence frustrating attempts towards establishing a uniform program for the fight against cybercriminals.
Virtual theft has become a worldwide threat with its impact felt across all borders including that of Nepal. Perpetrators are difficult to apprehend since they often come from abroad; this makes it hard for Nepali officers to catch hold of such offenders and punish them accordingly. Without transnational cooperation or mutual assistance treaties in place, hackers will thrive on these loopholes within laws and territories.
The Economic Impact of Cybercrime
Cybercrime has a major effect on the economy of Nepal and it is on an upward trend. Direct monetary losses through the stealing of funds or ransom payments, for instance, are some of the direct consequences caused by cyber-attacks. There is also an indirect loss associated with the loss of customers and a decrease in business opportunities as a result of reputational damage to the firm.
This can be especially devastating for developing nations like Nepal where economic growth is crucial. Cybercriminals primarily target small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which might not have the financial strength necessary to bounce back from a major attack. Additionally, the expenses related to cybersecurity breaches such as legal fees, fines imposed by regulators, and remediation measures may be prohibitive for many organisations.
Enhancing cybersecurity preparedness
With Nepal experiencing a surge in cybercrimes, the country needs to take measures to boost its readiness towards cyber threats. Such action has to involve collaboration from various stakeholders including central government, private sector representatives and members of civil society while international partners should also play their part.
To be able to effectively counter cybercrime, it is essential to create awareness among people on cyber security risks as well as ways of preventing them. Therefore, the government needs to work hand in hand with private organisations and non-governmental bodies to carry out campaigns that will educate people about safe online activities.
Additionally, schools and universities across the country need to include teaching about computer security in their courses so that when this generation grows up they will possess all the necessary information on how to deal with the internet without putting themselves at risk.
Nepal ought to put money into establishing a strong cyber defence structure consisting of advanced systems for detecting threats, secure data repositories, and abilities to respond to occurrences. While this would involve huge expenditures, it would be worthwhile in the long run since it would minimise cyber crimes and promote economic stability.
To fill the gap of skilled personnel in cyber security, Nepal needs to develop indigenous human resources. Targeted training programs, scholarships and partnerships with international cybersecurity organisations are some ways in which this can be done. This way, Nepal will have an abundant pool of cyber security professionals who will safeguard its digital infrastructure.
To fortify the legal and regulatory frameworks concerning cyber security, the government should focus. It is necessary to revise the current statutes to cover newly rising cyber dangers and formulate explicit instructions on reporting and taking action against cyber occurrences. Also, there ought to be more collaboration among law enforcement departments, the judiciary as well as regulatory institutions so that individuals engaged in internet crimes can be prosecuted.
To increase the cybersecurity of Nepal, public-private partnerships should be established. The government must collaborate with the private sector to exchange details on cyber threats, produce optimal procedures, and initiate cooperative ventures that can help build up resistance against them. Additionally, such partnership arrangements permit the transmission of resources and knowledge which would construct an effective countrywide cybersecurity network.
Cyberpunk and cybersecurity are intertwined aspects on which we need to work together if we want to overcome it globally. Particularly, the Nepal government must engage actively in bringing national representatives from different parts of the world into relevant international forums where they can share information, expertise as well as materials just like their counterparts do elsewhere within such settings. Furthermore, the principles of international cooperation will enable Nepal to combat complex transnational cyber-crime and even improve her defence systems against these malefactors.
In Nepal, the growing threat of cybercrime is an immense challenge that calls for immediate action. While continuing with digitalisation, the country should also make moves to protect their country’s digital infrastructure from cyber threats. Nepal can bolster its readiness for cybersecurity and save its future on the internet by raising awareness, creating a cybersecurity framework, developing talent and cultivating public-private partnerships. It should not be up to the government alone to combat cybercrime; rather everyone should participate in making Nepal’s online space secure and viable.
