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Information Technology is rapidly transforming toward a digital era. With huge paces toward broadband internet through wireless and wireline technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine-to-machine (M2M) learning, internet of things (IoT), etc, cybersecurity in networks has taken over all discussions across industries, like never before. Cybersecurity has been a widespread priority since the latter half of the ‘90s, when the dot-com boom brought the world online. More than 20 years later, we have witnessed an explosion in the number and severity of cybercrime over the course of just a few years. We’re likely to see security threats become more sophisticated and therefore more expensive over time. Experts predict that the global cost of cybercrime will reach $10.5trn by 2025, substantially up from $3trn in 2015.

Nepal’s context

Cybersecurity attacks in Nepal reached its peak in 2017 when 58 different governmental sites were hacked by a group of hackers. They leaked the customer’s information and citizen’s information creating a threat to the public as well as governmental organizations. Around a year back, Nepal government’s main server again faced cyberattacks causing the shutdown of a large number of government official websites. More than 400 Nepal government websites went down for hours, disrupting services and inconveniencing thousands of passengers at Kathmandu airport, exposing the vulnerability to hacking of the gov.np domain. Hackers appear to have targeted the government’s only central data bank at the Government Integrated Data Center (GIDC) with a ‘Distributed-Denial of Service’ attack, possibly from abroad, and knocked out most government ministry websites, including the database of the Department of Immigration as well as Passports. Likewise, we often come to know about hacking of Facebook, Instagram, bank accounts, etc where hackers have benefited with personal information and money in some cases. Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police is looking after cybersecurity-related crimes and is overburdened by an increased number of cases day by day.

Cybersecurity threats

Human interaction through email by cybercriminals remains the most dangerous hacking technique, largely because it relies on human error rather than technical vulnerabilities. It’s a lot easier to trick a human than it is to breach a security system. A study report by PwC UK revealed that over 75 percent of targeted cyberattacks start with an email. Phishing is one of the top causes of data breaches, followed by the use of stolen credentials and ransomware. Phishing and email impersonation continue to evolve to incorporate new trends, technologies and tactics. Hackers try to decoy individuals with an unbelievable amount of prize, lottery, gifts and influence for leaking the secured data and hack the bank account or ask to deposit cash at the intended bank account and later on, they fly away in no time. For organizations or companies, in some cases, hackers are not motivated by money. They simply want to make a point—social, economic, political, religious, or ethical. They leverage website defacements, ransomware, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, leaking confidential information, etc. Hackers just need data, no matter what the source may be. It’s not specific to government sites. They keep on looking for vulnerabilities, and they steal data wherever found.

Cybercriminals can get around security systems by hacking less-protected networks belonging to third parties that have privileged access to the hacker’s primary target. One major example of a third-party breach occurred at the beginning of 2021 when hackers leaked personal data from over 214m Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. The hackers were able to access the data by breaching a third-party contractor that was employed by all three companies and had privileged access to their networks.

Most of us might think the Cloud would become more secure over time, but chances are that this may not happen. As per a recent IBM study report, Cloud Vulnerabilities have increased with a high stake of 150 percent in the last five years. According to Gartner, a renowned management consulting company, Cloud security is currently the fastest-growing cybersecurity market segment due to the rapid increase in use of Cloud-based services.

Large-scale adoption of mobile wallets and touchless payment technology presents a target for cybercriminals. Financial and other prominent data may be under the control of cybercriminals due to mobile device vulnerabilities that have been impaired by the increase in remote work. Regular habits and practices regarding the use of technology, like using unprotected WiFi networks and failing to implement safeguards like a VPN or multi-factor authentication is another threat for cybersecurity.    

Safety measures

The future of cybersecurity is like a journey into the digital world, where there are both challenges and new ideas. As we rely more on technology and everything gets connected, it’s super important to keep our digital stuff safe. Here, we talk about what’s coming up in cybersecurity, like new threats and cool technology, and how we can protect ourselves online. At a time when hackers are getting smarter, knowing about cybersecurity is crucial for everyone, whether you’re a person, a business, or a government.

As an individual, the most important security measures are keeping your own passwords and other information secured, avoid using unprotected hotspots or wifi networks, don’t believe on unexpected gifts and prizes for which you never have approached and use anti-virus or a comprehensive internet security solution to protect your system from attacks.   

For organizations and governments, one of the big things in the future of cybersecurity is using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology. These smart algorithms can look at lots of data and find patterns or strange things that might mean there’s a cyberthreat. This helps organizations find and stop cyber-attacks fast, so they don’t do too much damage.

Another thing we’ll see more of in the future of cybersecurity is blockchain technology. Blockchain is like a super secure way to store and move information because it’s not controlled by one central authority. This makes it really tough for cyber bad guys to mess with it. That’s why blockchain is getting more popular, especially in industries like finance, healthcare and government, where keeping data safe is super important and any breach can cause a huge problem.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also going to be a big deal in the future of cybersecurity. IoT means lots of everyday things are connected to the internet, like smart thermostats or security cameras. So, organizations and governments will have to step up their security game to defend against cyberthreats related to IoT.

The author is a telecom expert and former Managing Director of Nepal Telecom

President Ram Chandra Paudel has left for Switzerland this evening to attend the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice that will take place during the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference.

 Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, deputy prime minister, ministers and high-ranking government officials had reached Tribhuvan International Airport to bid farewell to President Paudel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared in a press statement that President Paudel will address the inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice on June 13.

Paudel is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd on June 12.

Similarly, President Paudel will leave Geneva for Berlin on June 15 for an official visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Paudel is scheduled to hold official talks with his German counterpart on June 17, the Ministry added.

The President's spouse Sabita Paudel has  accompained the President during the visit.

He will return home in June 19.

Foodhall is India’s luxury grocer, café, and gifting service with outlets in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. It’s India’s leading gourmet and lifestyle store. I have visited its outlet in Mumbai and, even though I wasn’t much of a cook back then, I had fallen in love with it. I could browse the aisles for hours. Everything looked ultra clean and chic.

 So naturally, when I came across a cookbook that was published by Foodhall I had to get it. In true Foodhall style, the book is beautiful. Even just browsing through it is a delightful visual experience. It’s a slim volume but it has 75 recipes from around the world—there are modern European, Asian, and Indian recipes among others. There’s a section devoted to desserts. I guarantee there is bound to be a handful of recipes no matter what type of food you are in the mood for.

Five chefs have come together and shared their recipes in the book. There’s Gresham Fernandes who’s the executive chef at Fine Dine Impresario Hospitality, the company that owns restaurants like Salt Water Café in Mumbai and Smoke House Room in Delhi. Kelvin Cheung, who has shared the recipes for Kimchi Tacos and Moo Shu Chicken among many others, is a consultant at Bastian in Mumbai. Bastian is a seafood restaurant owned by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra and it’s a favorite of many celebrities.

Likewise, there’s Zorawar Kalra who is one of the youngest restaurateurs of India. Sabyasachi Gorai, popularly known as Chef Saby, received the ‘Best Chef of India’ award by the then President of India, Pratibha Patil during the National Tourism Awards 2011-12. Pooja Dhingra is a pastry chef who was featured in Forbes India’s ’30 under 30 list’. Her first cookbook, ‘The Big Book of Treats’ came out in 2014 and in The Foodhall Cookbook, she shares 13 of her delightful recipes. From spiced macarons and matcha cookies to kiwi pavlova and a variety of cupcakes, she has you covered on the dessert front.  

I have already marked a few recipes that I want to try out as soon as possible. I’ve even bought some ingredients that I didn’t have in my pantry. I’m that excited about this cookbook that has been designed to perfection. The full-page photographs that accompany each recipe give the cookbook a coffee table book appeal.

 Each chef also shares helpful cooking tips in their introduction—from asking you to let your intuition guide you in the kitchen to recommending a good weighing scale and best quality ingredients. There is a simple chicken salad recipe with sesame seeds that I’m sure will be quite lovely. Titled the ‘Sesame Spinach Chicken Salad’ it needs a handful of ingredients and the dressing can be made from things that you already have like oil, vinegar, honey, and soy sauce. It’s apparently Cheung’s favorite recipe to make as well. It’s light, refreshing, and super quick and simple to make, he says. 

Most of the recipes in the book require minimal effort and time. Only a few require pre-prepping and some diligence. The Foodhall Cookbook can be the perfect guide in helping you unleash your culinary skills.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38818883-the-foodhall-cookbook 

The Foodhall Cookbook

Publisher: Roli Books

Published: 2017

Photographs: Anshika Varma & Foodhall

(except on page 50, Amrita Diwanji)

Design and layout: Misha Oberoi

Lal Bahadur Airi was appointed the general manager at Gorkhapatra in 2022, for a four-year term, making him the youngest ever to hold the position. A vacancy opened by the ministry, followed by a shortlisting of candidates, and a submission to the cabinet for final approval led to Airi being selected for the prestigious position.

Before that, Airi worked as a reporter at the National News Agency and was on the board of directors at Radio Sudoor Awaz. At one point, he also held the position of district bureau coordinator at Kantipur Television.

Currently, he is also a PhD scholar. His research project focuses on how the media performs inside the federal government. Beyond academia, he has a strong interest in social work. His early exposure to social work and leadership sparked his interest in journalism as a social service platform. He began his career with practical journalism experience, which was later supplemented by an academic pursuit of the field.

“I find myself drawn to the social aspects of journalism. I’m intrigued by journalist’s backgrounds and motivations, as well as how regional influences and personal perspectives affect their work,” says Airi. “I hope to improve my knowledge of journalism’s role in constructing societal narratives by investigating these sociological processes.”

Airi hails from Amargadhi Municipality-7, Dadeldhura. He completed his SLC in 2003 and since then has been continuously involved in journalism.

“My academic background, which includes a sociology thesis produced during my MPhil, reinforces my devotion to social work. Aspiring to be a journalist entails learning the sociological aspects that impact the industry and how to properly handle a variety of social topics,” he says.

At Gorkhapatra, Airi says all operations are overseen by the management and administration in collaboration with the executive chairman. The organization manages six publications—Gorkhapatra (a vernacular daily), The Rising Nepal (an English-language national daily), Madhuparka (a literary monthly magazine), Muna (a children’s monthly magazine), Yuba Manch (a youth monthly magazine) and Gorkhapatra Online (the digital edition).

“My position comes with formulating and implementing company plans, supervising business operations, and resolving circulation difficulties, with a primary focus on administrative administration and leadership,” says Airi.

As a state media body, Gorkhapatra is responsible for a variety of state and public-related issues. With a rich history of 124 years and numerous publications, the institution has created a distinct personality. Managing a team of around 500 people is a huge undertaking. The organization must maintain people’s faith. It must also balance and manage connections between the government, public, and its own employees.

Some say that in free and democratic nations, state media is unneeded since market outlets can effectively serve public interest. They feel that commercial media can better enlighten the public, rendering government-owned outlets obsolete.

Others think that state media plays an important role in articulating the government’s position and establishing a national perspective. They feel it promotes national unity and identity by presenting the state’s perspective in a distinct manner.

State media, as shown by historic periodicals such as Gorkhapatra, played an important role in informing and educating the populace during times of scarcity. The form of state media, whether government-controlled or independent with state support, differs among countries, with the goal of balancing independence and accountability. While the need for state media to bridge government-public relations persists, the current problem is to ensure its relevance in an era of ubiquitous information availability.

“In today’s age of misinformation and deep fakes, trustworthy sources are critical for giving accurate, unbiased information,” says Airi. “They bridge the gap by facilitating open communication between the government and the public, establishing trust and clarity in the information landscape.”

Social media poses a challenge to traditional mainstream media, resulting in difficulties such as lower revenue and audience engagement. However, it has democratized information access, allowing a variety of viewpoints to be heard. Platforms like Gorkhapatra use social media to improve public access to news, shape public perception, and battle disinformation.

“Gorkhapatra has undergone a significant shift from being a government mouthpiece to a platform that presents public opinion. It highlights public concerns and includes public opinions in its material, positioning itself as the people’s voice,” says Airi, adding that despite encountering business issues, its reach has grown via digital platforms.

The challenges of declining productivity and advertising revenue have prompted a reevaluation of content quality, leading to a greater emphasis on public voices and critical reporting. This shift has not only strengthened Gorkhapatra’s role as a public voice but also contributed to societal establishment by facilitating open dialogue and addressing economic and administrative issues.

“Gorkhapatra and other media outlets are embracing digital transformation in order to adapt to the modern era. They’re modernizing internet platforms, expanding their social media presence, and integrating technology into newsrooms. Initiatives such as GIOMS, which fall under the Digital Nepal framework, exhibit a commitment to innovation and automation, with the goal of improving distribution, payment procedures, and storytelling for better relevance and efficiency in the developing media landscape,” says Airi.

Gorkhapatra, which is rooted in tradition, struggles to adapt to change due to governmental roadblocks and outdated rules and regulations. Despite efforts, it’s frequently viewed as representing only government viewpoints, highlighting bigger issues in journalism’s progress.

Another significant aspect that media personnel should understand is the gap in media literacy among individuals, especially regarding digital media. This lack of understanding poses a challenge not only for Gorkhapatra but for the entire field of journalism and societal transformation. For instance, when discussing issues on Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, it can be challenging to differentiate between journalism and the common utilization of social media platforms. Overall, the media faces challenges stemming from unhealthy professional practices, making responsible journalism and media houses crucial.

However, the biggest thing is credibility, says Airi. And it’s what drives Gorkhapatra in its pursuit of news.