Cybersecurity in foreign policy: Nepal's outlook and considerations on cyber space and cybersecurity
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Department of International Relations and Diplomacy
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.