Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking in Nepal

Cybersecurity and ethical hacking in Nepal are trending topics among the youth of the country. Cyber security refers to the process of protecting the computer software system from digital threats; besides that, it also protects the computer system, network, and data from any suspicious malware and disruptions, whereas ethical hacking means legally hacking into the systems to find as well as resolve security defects. It is performed by security experts known as "ethical hackers" or "white-hat hackers". Thus, Cybersecurity and ethical hacking are both essential components of the modern digital world.

Current State in Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking in Nepal, 2024

Cybersecurity and ethical hacking have been trending globally for a long time, and Nepal is also slowly emerging into these fields. Many Nepali companies are advancing their digital presence, which will eventually increase the cybersecurity and ethical hacking fields in Nepal. In order to protect companies from cyber threats and attacks, they will have to hire experts in cyber security and ethical hacking. Looking at the current cybersecurity situation in Nepal, is still developing in the fields of online security and hacking. This trend will eventually increase, and as a result, Nepal will have to face challenges along with future opportunities in these fields of cybersecurity and ethical hacking. 

Growing trends of Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking in nepal

The use of digital technology and digital literacy has been increasing at a fast pace in Nepal. As a result, cybercrime and security threats are also increasing similarly Some recent cyber attacks in Nepal include the 2017 breach by “Paradox CyberGhost,"  which compromised over 58 government websites; the 2021 hacking of the President's official website; and a 2023 cyber attack that left 1500 government websites dysfunctional. So in order to fight them back, the rise of cyber security and ethical hacking in Nepal is indeed a trend. Companies are hiring experts in these fields to safeguard their systems, networks, and data.

The trends in cyber security, ethical hacking,  and other IT-related fields have been expanding day by day. Various IT training institutions have been started and are running high-quality cyber security and ethical hacking courses to ensure more skilled manpower is established. Businesses and large companies are also adopting advanced cybersecurity technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cryptography to enhance their security measures. We can see that the IT sector is trending among youths in Nepal and fields of cyber security and ethical hacking are also increasing compared to previous years.

Real-World Case Studies

Cyber threat attempts can be seen often in Nepal's digital world. Many ethical hacking case studies have been done. Some popular cyber threat cases are as follows :

Government websites hack in 2017: A group of Turkish hackers hacked the official website of Department of passport on June 27, 2017, threatening to leak the government’s data

NIC Asia Bank Attack in 2017: In October 2017, an unknown hacker entered the bank's SWIFT system, leading to the robbery of millions of dollars of transactions.

Various data Breaches in 2020:  Online services like Vianet (internet service provider) and Foodmandu (food delivery) were attacked by hackers in 2020. These attacks resulted in the leak of personal information belonging to thousands of customers. Vianet was hacked by a very young hacker known as "Narpichas.”. This proved cyber security’s weakness even in big companies.

Challenges of cyber security and ethical hacking in nepal

As we know, the digital sector in Nepal is advancing nowadays, and similarly, this is leading to different cyber threats and crimes, which is becoming a challenge for different businesses. To tackle these challenges, cyber security and ethical hacking plays a vital role. Even though cyber security and ethical hacking is a trending topics in Nepal, there are various challenges and issues these fields have to face. 

Some of the major challenges of cyber security and ethical hacking are growing cyber crimes, a lack of awareness, digital illiteracy, weak legal provisions by the government to strengthen cyber security laws, limited resources and investments, a lack of skilled manpower, and insufficient cyberinfrastructure. It is imperative that these challenges be tackled for safe cyber security.

By raising awareness, strengthening and implementing legal provisions, investing in infrastructure, developing skilled professionals and experts, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring adequate resource allocation, Nepal can definitely enhance its cyber security and protect its digital future.

Future prospects of cyber security and ethical hacking in nepal

The importance of cybersecurity and ethical hacking is very huge for developing countries like nepal. Companies, government offices, and individuals are relying on digital technologies and demand for experts to protect the system from cyber threats will eventually increase over time. The future in cyber security and ethical hacking in Nepal seems bright. These fields hold a powerful potential for future prospects. Different training centers and academies are being established to skill up the manpower in cybersecurity and ethical hacking fields. Youths are more encouraged to learn and enter into the digital world.

Demand for professionals in cybersecurity is increasing a lot and this will also help in the employment opportunity in the country. Nepal's cybersecurity and ethical hacking future is promising due to rapid digitalization and increasing cyber threats. The government is investing in regulatory frameworks and capacity-building initiatives, while educational institutions are incorporating cybersecurity and ethical hacking into their curriculum. The growing awareness among businesses about cybersecurity leads to increased demand for ethical hackers, creating many career opportunities.

FAQs about Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking in Nepal

Where can we learn cyber security and ethical hacking in nepal?

There are various institutions providing different courses on cyber security and ethical hacking at an affordable price. You can search about the institutions on Google.

What is the difference between ethical hacking and illegal hacking?

Ethical hacking is performed with the permission of the system owner to identify and fix vulnerabilities, its goal is to improve security,, whereas Illegal hacking is a criminal activity done without authorization, with the intent to steal data, disrupt systems, or cause harm.

What is malware? How can we detect it? 

Malware is software specially designed by the hacker in order to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Some of the ways to detect malware are application allowlisting, machine learning behavioral analysis, advanced malware detection technologies, etc.

Are viruses any different from ransomware? 

Yes, they are indeed different, A virus is a type of malware that infects files and spreads through a device whenever the infected file or program is run. Ransomware is an advanced type of malware that uses cryptography to block access to files in the system unless a ransom fee is paid. 

How can individuals and organizations be safe from cyber threats?

We all know knowledge is key; hence, if individuals and organizations succeed in gaining knowledge about cyber threats and their consequences, everyone will easily be able to secure their networks and databases.

What could be the consequences of a cyberattack?

            Some of the common consequences of Cyberattacks are -

• Financial loss 
• Psychological tension ( mental pressure ) 
• Reputational damage 
• Political instability 

What are the common challenges faced by ethical hackers?

Ethical hackers are often restricted from accessing proprietary information that may be crucial for a comprehensive security assessment. This limitation can hinder their ability to identify vulnerabilities that may only be apparent with a more in-depth understanding of an organization's internal workings.

Do ethical hackers require any kind of certificate or authorization?  

Ethical hacking requires a strong technical knowledge of computer systems, networks, and best security practices. To obtain the necessary skills and knowledge, a person must pursue formal education, such as a degree in computer science, or pursue a specialized certification in ethical hacking.

Is cyber security and ethical hacking the same thing ?

Cybersecurity focuses on protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage. It involves implementing preventive measures like firewalls, encryption, and access controls.

Ethical hacking, on the other hand, involves authorized attempts to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Ethical hackers use their skills to uncover weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious hackers.

Article Published By: Jenish Prajapati