Participants at an interaction programme have stressed cybersecurity education and awareness alongside developing a robust and practical policy framework to address the growing cyber threats and gaps in existing regulations.

At the programme organised by the Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCert), in collaboration with the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSR) and Texas College of Management and IT, Rajib Subba, former deputy inspector general of Nepal Police, advocated for enhancing educational programmes with a focus on practical skill development to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Likewise, Ganesh Ghimire, a FinTech expert, provided an in-depth analysis of the prospects and challenges of cross-border transactions in Nepal.

He highlighted the vulnerabilities in international financial dealings and called for strengthened security measures to protect these transactions.

Meanwhile, Resham Bhandari, representing InfoDevelopers, stressed the importance of cyber literacy at the grassroots level. He argued that raising awareness and understanding of cyber threats among the general population is essential for creating a secure digital environment.

Likewise, Chiranjibi Adhikari, president of npCert, emphasised the pressing need for a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Policy.

Adhikari underscored the importance of fortifying Nepal's digital infrastructure to safeguard against rising cyber threats, highlighting the necessity of a strong policy framework to protect the nation's digital assets and ensure long-term resilience.

Sharad Chandra Pyakurel, Birendra Singh Dhami, Suman Thapaliya and Dhurba Raj Sharma, general secretary of npCert, also highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation to ensure effective execution and adaptability to emerging cyber security challenges.