Implementation of the law is essential for keeping the cyberspace secure and also safe as this is a matter of concern worldwide

The number of internet and social media users has been rising worldwide, including in Nepal, in which it is growing at a rapid pace by 12 to 15 per cent every year. This has its benefits but along with their widespread uses the cases of cyber crime are seen to be rising over the years. So far, it is only the

Nepal Police dealing with this sort of crime under the Electronic Transaction Act 2006. There has been a surge in the report of such crimes, and police statistics show that they had increased by as much as 105 per cent in the last fiscal year, 2014-15. Figures show that a total of 39 cyber-crime related cases were reported to the police last year while such crimes numbered 19 before that year. Moreover, these cases are on the rise in the recent year with as many as 35 such cases reported to the police after mid-July in the beginning of this current fiscal year. The major cyber crimes that take place are, among others, E-mail theft, data hacks, online fraud and impersonating profiles.

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The country lacks a comprehensive cyber policy in the absence of a Nepali Computer Incident Response team to fight with cyber crime. Seeing the rise in online attacks the government belatedly is coming up with the National Cyber Security Strategy to deal with such threats and attacks. The government plans to have this to be in effect within this fiscal year. It should be committed to make cyberspace safe in Nepal and bring Child Online Protection (COP) and also a new law for cyber security. The strategy envisaged to deal with cyber crime would assist in this. The law should be such as to protect children and ensure their safety when they use the internet. A draft of cyber security strategy is to be prepared and submitted without further delay seeing the gravity of the situation causing immense harm and damage. The importance of devising such a national strategy and also raising awareness about cyber security cannot be over-emphasized. Nepal should accord priority to a cyber security strategy as is done in other nations and form an emergency response team along with the COP guidelines.

These have to be done as soon as possible by holding workshops and  by preparing a report that points out the gaps and making the much needed recommendations so that a national cyber security awareness program that works is put in place. The government has finally taken up this issue with the purpose of meeting the pressing needs for policies and strategic, legal and institutional operational needs as far as cyber security is concerned. The Electronic Transaction Act of 2006 is already outdated, and it is high time that we had a new cyber policy in place. Since this crime is of a serious nature the culprits violating this law should receive stern punishment. Every stakeholder should take this issue up seriously. The implementation of the law is essential for keeping the cyberspace secure and also safe as this is a matter of concern worldwide. That the cyber security strategy is finally in the offing should, therefore,  be taken up positively.

Cholera precautions

Cholera cannot be said to have assumed epidemic proportions in the Kathmandu Valley yet, but the growing number of cholera cases indicates that we cannot remain assured. The number of patients carrying cholera-causing germs has been going up, to 66 now, from 26 July to 28 August. But the government’s health agencies have taken precautions to contain it. The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has set up active surveillance in 32 hospitals of the valley. However, on a positive note, no death has been reported so far due to cholera.

• READ ALSO: Active cholera surveillance in Valley

This monsoon season cholera has claimed most of the attention among the summer ailments. The Teku hospital, which specializes in tropical and infectious diseases, reported a maximum number of cholera cases on August 6 and that of acute gastroenteritis at 26 by August 2. But the trends are beginning to decrease. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has sent out a circular to all the municipalities and district development committees to stay on high alert about the possibility of the spread of cholera. While all these measures are necessary, the importance of raising public awareness about how cholera spreads and how it can be prevented cannot be underestimated.