
Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) was created in response to the US Presidential Decision Directive 63, which was issued in 1998 and updated in 2003 by Homeland Security Presidential Decision Directive 7. The consortium was founded with a mission: to help ensure the resilience and continuity of the global financial services infrastructure and individual firms against acts that could significantly impact the sector’s ability to provide services critical to the orderly function of the global economy.
Deirdre Bower – Director of Global Business Operations, John Carlson – Chief of Staff, Megan Foster – Intelligence Analyst presented their ideas on Cyber Security and introduced us to their 3 services – Hamilton Services, Schuman Pilot Excercise, Playbook drills.


Mr. Michael Chertoff: As Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Past Federal Home Minister) from 2005 to 2009, Michael Chertoff led the country in blocking would-be terrorists from crossing our borders or implementing their plans if they were already in the country. He also transformed FEMA into an effective organization following Hurricane Katrina. His greatest successes have earned few headlines – because the important news is what didn’t happen.
At Chertoff Group, Mr. Chertoff provides high-level strategic counsel to corporate and government leaders on a broad range of security issues, from risk identification and prevention to preparedness, response and recovery. “Risk management has become the CEO’s concern,” he says. “We help our clients develop comprehensive strategies to manage risk without building barriers that get in the way of carrying on their business.”
Before heading up the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Chertoff served as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Earlier, during more than a decade as a federal prosecutor, he investigated and prosecuted cases of political corruption, organized crime, corporate fraud and terrorism – including the investigation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Mr. Chertoff is magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College (1975) and Harvard Law School (1978). From 1979-1980 he served as a clerk to Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Jr. In addition to his role at Chertoff Group, Mr. Chertoff is also senior of counsel at Covington & Burling LLP, and a member of the firm’s White-Collar Defense and Investigations practice group. The Chertoff Group is an internationally recognized leader in security and risk management advisory services. They apply their unmatched industry insights around security technology, global threats, strategy, and public policy to enable a more secure world. The Group starts with the proposition that there is not such thing as risk elimination, and they help clients understand the fundamentals of security risk management and how to communicate security effectiveness. Their clients use these insights to build resilient organizations, gain competitive advantage and accelerate growth.

It was indeed a great experience to be able to visit Department of Homeland Security (as known as Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal). Mr. Ian Smith, DHS Policy presented his views on “Overview of Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Missions”. Mr. Ross Clark, Cyber Security Analyst, Office of International Affairs presented his views on “Overview of Cyber Security & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)”. Mr. James Lam, USSS, presented his views on “Overview of US Secret Services”.

DHS basically has 7 cyber security goals under 5 pillars.
Pillar 1: Risk Identification
Goal 1: Assess Evolving Cybersecurity Risks.
Pillar 2: Vulnerability Reduction
Goal 2: Protect Federal Government Information System.
Goal 3: Protect Critical Infrastructure.
Pillar 3: Threat Reduction
Goal 4: Prevent and Disrupt Criminal Use of Cyberspace.
Pillar 4: Consequence Mitigation
Goal 5: Respond Effectively to to Cyber Incidents.
Pillar 5: Enable Cyber Security Outcomes
Goal 6: Strengthen the Security and Reliability of the Cyber Ecosystem.
Goal 7: Improve Management of DHS Cybersecurity Activities.
#IVLP #CyberSecurity

The first day of International Visitors Leadership Program (#IVLP) organized by US Department of State at Meridian International Center, Meridian House, Washington DC. Seven experts from different parts and sectors from Nepal had joined this program.
Dr. Janice Brummond, Program Officer, welcomed the seven experts. Mr. Sheridan Bell shared some of the background of the whole 3 weeks program along with schedule. Ms. Katie Hudak presented about communications, administration related stuffs.

Mr. William A. Carter, Deputy Director and Fellow, Technology Program Officer, Center for Strategic & International Studies joined the IVLP members for lunch where informal discussion on the Cyber Security was discussed for about an hour. His research focuses on international cyber and technology policy issues, including artificial intelligence, surveillance and privacy, data localization, cyber conflict and deterrence, financial sector cybersecurity, and law enforcement and technology, including encryption. He has spoken at events and conferences around the world and participated in Track 2 dialogues on cyber and technology policy issues with China, Russia, and Australia. Before joining CSIS, he worked in the Goldman Sachs Investment Strategy Group, where he performed research and analysis on geopolitics and the macro economy and produced reports and presentations on international affairs and current events and their impact on markets. He previously worked at the Council on Foreign Relations and at Caxton Associates, a New York hedge fund. He graduated from New York University with a B.A. in economics. Different IVLP experts presented and exchanged their views on cyber security.

The session was concluded by Dr. Tammy Schultz with her presentation on US Federation & Democracy. Dr. Schultz leads the Marine Corps War College National Security and Joint warfare Program. In addition, Dr. Schultz conducts communication simulations at the State Department for Foreign Service Officers and is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program. Previously, she was a Fellow at the Center for New American Security (CNAS). Prior to joining CNAS, she served as a Research Fellow and Director of Research and Policy at the U.S. Army’s Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. Dr. Schultz was also a Brookings Institution Research Fellow from 2003 to 2004.

ICT Development Committee lead by Chairperson Er. Binod Dhakal is a committee under Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). It hosted a meetup with Mr. David Venable, a renowed Cyber Security Expert from USA who has years of experience in the field of Cyber Security. Mr. Dave is a former intelligence officer with the National Security Agency, with extensive experience in Computer Network Exploitation, Information Operations, and Digital Network Intelligence and cryptography.

Round Table Discussion on Cyber Security with Mr. David (Dave) Venable, Cyber Security Expert, USA and Mr. Paul Thomas, Public Affairs Office, US Embassy in Nepal was successfully conducted today at 10:00 AM at CAN Federation Central Office, Khusibun.
Mr. Dave is a former intelligence officer with the National Security Agency, with extensive experience in Computer Network Exploitation, Information Operations, and Digital Network Intelligence and cryptography.
Mr Paul Thomas, Public Affairs officer from US Embassy Kathmandu said Embassy and CAN Federation jointly should do many more works for the betterment of ICT Sector in Nepal.

कम्प्युटर एसोसिएसन नेपाल महासंघ (क्यान महासँघ) सुनसरीको आतिथ्यतामा प्रदेश स्तरीय” सुचना प्रविधि सम्मेलन ” IME PAY – ICT Seminar on Digital Financial Services for Financial Inclusion 2019″ भब्य रुपमा सम्पन्न भएको छ । उक्त कार्यक्रममा प्रमुख अतिथि माननिय मुख्य मन्त्री श्री शेरधन राईले गर्नु भएको थियो, साथै विशिष्ट अतिथिमा माननिय मन्त्री लिलम बस्नेत रहनु भएको थियो । त्यसैगरी विषेश अतिथिमा नगर प्रमुख, ससस्त्रका प्रहरी नायब महानिरीक्षक, ट्टाफिक प्रमुख र क्यान महासंघका केन्द्रिय सदस्यहरु लगायत सम्पुर्ण संघ सस्थाहरुका प्रतिनिधिहरु रहनु भएको थियो । उक्त कार्यकैममा ३५० भन्दा बढि सहभागि रहेको तालिममा संघ सस्थाका प्रतिनिधि, कलेज तथा स्कूलका प्रमुख तथा प्रतिनिधि, विद्यार्थीहरु र आइ.टी
सरोकारवालाहरुको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो । दाश्रो चरणको कार्यक्रममा क्यान महासंघ केन्द्रका केन्दिय सदस्य डा. अभिजित गुप्ताले ICT for Good Governance का विषयमा जानकारी गराउनु भएको थियो त्यस्तै IME Pay का बारेका IME का प्रतिनिधि Madhab Katuwal ले जानकारी गराउनु भएको थियो ।






On 28 July, 2019, a conference was held by SOS Children Village at Dhulikhel lodge resort, Dhulikhel on Empowering Youth. Dr. Gupta was invited to speak on “Strengthening Vocational, Employability and Entrepreneurial Skills in relation to ICT”. The idea was to motivate and empower youth and help them realize opportunities in the field of ICT in Nepal. Dr. Gupta finished the presentation in 50 minutes. However, the interaction went for over an hour since the youth were very curious to grab knowledge on what they could do in future by the expert who already has been there. Later, it was kind of SOS program organizer to add certain time to Dr. Gupta’s slot for further discussion.

काठमाडाैं । पछिल्लो समय सरकारले आइटी क्षेत्रलाई केही हदसम्म प्राथमिकता दिएको देखिन्छ । सरकारी निकायहरुमा निजी क्षेत्रबाट आइटी विज्ञ नियुक्त गर्ने प्रवृत्ति पनि देखिन थालेको छ । प्रधानमन्त्री केपी शर्मा ओलीका आइटी विज्ञ (सल्लाहकार) को रुपमा अस्गर अलीले उदाहरणीय कार्य गर्दै आएका छन् । यसैबीच संवैधानिक अंग अख्तियार अनुसन्धान आयोगले आइटी विज्ञको रुपमा डा. अभिजित गुप्तालाई नियुक्त गरेको छ । डा. गुप्ता सफ्टवेयर डेभलपमेन्ट/इम्प्लिमेन्टेशन, मेन्टरिङ, साइबर सेक्युरिटी, ई–गभर्मेन्ट/ई–सर्भिसेस आदिको क्षेत्रमा विज्ञ छन् ।
https://livingwithict.com/news-details/1477/2019-06-14

It is indeed a proud moment for the nation to be awarded with ASOCIO 2018 Digital Government Award held at ANA International Hotel, Tokyo on 8-Nov-2018 organized by ASOCIO.
The award was given by Mr. David Wong, Chairperson of ASOCIO and received by Dr. Abhijit Gupta – Executive, CAN Federation on 8-Nov-2018. The Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) is an ICT Federation organized by ICT associations representing 24 economies throughout the Asia Pacific. ASOCIO was established in Tokyo, Japan in 1984 and it is the most time-honoured and active international ICT trade organization in Asia and Oceania. Its influence covers more than 10,000 ICT companies and represents approximately US$ 350 billion of ICT revenue in the region. ASOCIO’s objective is to promote, encourage and foster relationships and trade among its members, and to develop the computing industry in the region.
The award was handed over to IGP. Sarbendra Khanal (Chief of Nepal Police) in presence of DIG Sunil Shrestha (Chief of Computer Directorate) on 14-Nov-2018. This is the second award down the line that Nepal Police has received in 2018. The other award received few months back was Living with ICT 2018 Digital Government Award.
Media Coverage:
http://rajdhanidaily.com/133090/
https://www.dainiknepal.com/2018/11/360800.html
http://www.pradesh1tv.com/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%88-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE/
http://hamropati.com/international/archive/37395.htm
http://yugbani.com/2018/11/14/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95-%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AE-%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%87/
http://pahilopustak.com/news/view?state=1&dis=13&id=11779
https://www.nepalpolice.gov.np/index.php/news/latest-news/14377-asocio-2018-digital-government-award
https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2018/11/14/nepal-police-receives-asocio-2018-digital-government-award
https://onlinepana.com/archives/84495
http://aajakokhabar.com/2018/11/14/6944/
https://www.diyopost.com/2018/11/43619/
https://www.pahilokitaab.com/news/view?id=11779
http://arghakhanchibulletin.com/detail/5447
https://everestmission.com/everest-khabar/29487/
https://livingwithict.com/news-details/843/2018-11-15
https://sagarmatha.tv/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%88-%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%97/
https://esancharpati.com/10956/
http://timekhabar.com/2018/11/14/14154/