Cybersecurity in foreign policy: Nepal's outlook and considerations on cyber space and cybersecurity

Abstract

The global digital revolution has undeniably empowered the world to seek new horizons of growth and development by fostering innovations and facilitating positive change. It has also been helpful in spreading democratic values and creating immense opportunities in multiple sectors. However, the digital revolution has also been the harbinger of newer threats to the national security of the states. In the early time of digital adoption, cybersecurity and cybercrime were mainly viewed as technical matters rather than strategic issues, due to which firm government actions and proper security measures covering the digital aspects were missing. This posture started to change when significant cyber-attacks like the 2007 Estonia cyberattack and the 2010 Stuxnet worm attack began to make headlines. The cybersecurity has been part of foreign policy and national security of many developed countries, but many developing countries, because of structural constraints, have not been able to incorporate this into their national strategies. Realizing this research gap in the previous studies, the research explored the cybersecurity aspects of developed countries like the USA, China, Russia, and other SAARC countries. As qualitative research, the study is a systematic and holistic approach towards viewing different aspects of cybersecurity and relating to the Nepalese context. Notably, the research explained the cybersecurity concerns of Nepal, pointing out several cyberattack incidents. It also elaborated on Nepal’s different attempts or initiatives on cybersecurity. The study critically analyses the essentiality and significance of cybersecurity policy for Nepal as a developing country. The research focuses outlook and considerations of Nepal towards cybersecurity and recommends some strategies for comprehensive cybersecurity policies. Keywords: Cybersecurity, Foreign policy, Nepal and cybersecurity, Cyber strategies, Developing countries.