NTA is developing a cyber security system to safeguard Nepali cyberspace from possible breaches, with a consulting firm.

The Telecommunicates Authority today released a notice seeking Expression of Interest from interested consultants to build its security system. NTA has named the project – Cyber Security System for the Protection of International Internet Gateway and Domestic/National Network.

Interested candidates shall submit their EoI application within 15 days at www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp only e-GP on or before 10-01-2022 at 12-00 AM.

NTA will award the contract to a consultant based on its qualification, and experience and capacity, and key personnel. It assigns 40% of credentials on qualification, 50% on experience, and 10 on capacity on the consultant.

NTA will only invite the shortlisted firms to submit the technical and financial proposal afterward. Any firm which scores 60% or above will qualify for the EoI.

Nepal is on a ruthless path to digital transformation. The government’s Digital Nepal Framework is gaining reinforcements through businesses, Fintech, and more ICT growth. However, such growth has also met with growing threats of infiltrations.

Read: NTA Implements Cyber Security Bylaw 2077 for Cyber-Security Standards

NTA’s Cyber Security to Protect Against International Gateways

Malware, Phishing, Ransomware, Man-in-the-middle attack, etc. have compromised sensitive data, Such attacks are becoming more sophisticated these days. NTA says, “these attacks from the internet generally come to the service providers networks via International Internet Gateways.”

“Around 20-30 % of the internet traffic generally comes to the territory of Nepal through International Gateways. Despite attempts to forfeit, International Internet Gateways are often vulnerable to such attacks. For the remaining internet traffic in Domestic/National Networks, efforts need to be made to safeguard the national ICT infrastructure,” NTA adds.

Often such cyber attacks seem like proxy attacks. It means the origin of the attacks seems coming from China, but actually, it’s coming from within.” The attacks into the cyber system put national security at risk by divulging crucial information. Some of these breaches have sinister objectives in mind. Therefore, NTA is stepping up to develop a more sophisticated security system to protect Nepali cyberspace.

Also read: NTA directs mandatory security audit for Telecom and ISPs 

Cybersecurity war is real and often a tool by the state or state-funded entity to carry out branches on foreign organizations, government data, and other crucial communication systems. Such attacks can put national security at risk as well as citizens’. Therefore, a highly-advanced firewall should be implemented to guard the nation’s cyberspace against foreign as well as national attacks.

What is your idea on NTA’s Cyber Security System initiative? Do you think Nepal is at high risk from such attacks given it stands between geopolitical skirmishes between India and China? Do offer your inputs in the comments below.