Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Nepal

NTA is preparing the roster of cyber consulting/audit firms. Only Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has urged all
the firms on the list will be able to secure cyber security projects stakeholders for making arrangements for the unhindered use of
with telecom operators and ISPs in the country. The roster will the internet service. Stating that the internet service has become
help firms carry out the project adhering to the Cyber Security disrupted at many places of the country due to the haphazard
Bylaw, 2077. NTA expects to soon release the roster (standing cut-off of the optical fiber at various places, the NTA urged for
list) of the consulting/audit firms to head cyber security of ISP making arrangements for the unhindered use of the internet
and telcos in Nepal. NTA has already reminded telcos and ISPs in service. In a press release today, NTA urged the bodies concerned
the country that security audit is mandatory. This means all the not to cut off the optical fiber at a time when efforts are being
communications service providers in Nepal will have to comply made to resolve the dispute over the rate of pole rent between the
with the Cyber Security Regulation 2077. Only the firms in the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) and the
roster could serve with information security and cloud security Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) by holding discussions among
auditing of telecom and internet service providers licensed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the
NTA. Cyber security firms will be selected by NTA on the basis NTA, NEA, and ISPAN. “A highly essential service of the State
of their experience and the extent of capacity. The telecom has been disrupted with the cutoff of the optical fiber. There is
companies and ISPs would only collaborate with the firms listed a provision in the Telecommunications Act, 2053 BS that says it
in the roster. The regulator NTA has also set the minimum criteria would be a punishable offense if anyone disrupts this essential
for cyber security firms seeking approval to serve. Domestic and service. The Authority expresses its regrets over the act of
international firms can apply to serve as candidates to serve as disruption of telecommunication service like this,” NTA stated.
auditing firms of service providers in Nepal. NTA has requested NTA has called on all the bodies concerned to take legal action
vying Cyber Security Consulting/Audit firms to submit their against anyone causing obstruction to the State’s very essential
application/proposal documents in either softcopy via email or service and to safeguard such infrastructures, laying emphasis
hardcopy at its office as early as this fiscal year. Cyber security on seeking solutions through talks. “All sides should sit together
has grown intense over the past few months in Nepal. Just a few and sort out the problems through mutual discussions, and we
months ago, there was a temporary suspicion of the NTC server heartily request all sides concerned including NEA and the IPAN
coming under attack. to make arrangements for the unobstructed use of the internet
(October 9, 2021) nepalitelecom.com service, as only talks are the solution to every problem,” reads the
press release. (October 3, 2021) english.khabarhub.com

Oman

The Ministry of Social Development and Omantel have signed an services provided by Omantel, which are known for being flexible
settlement below which Omantel will arrange a center for cloud and of high quality and most importantly meet the ministry’s
companies for the ministry. Dr Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of requirements.” She added, “These options and applied sciences
Social Development and Talal bin Said Al Mamari, CEO, Omantel will make the method of receiving inquiries, reviews, complaints,
signed the settlement. As per the settlement, Omantel will arrange household counselling and beneficiary companies in a versatile,
an integrated contact center for cloud communications to offer quick, correct and safe method. They can even facilitate following
IT options and companies inside safe, high-quality, and versatile up on records data from completely different departments and
cloud surroundings. Services lined by this settlement embrace digital storage for lengthy durations. The transfer will contribute
cyber safety, digital information storage, and the issuance of in direction of updating the ministry’s programs and companies
periodic reviews. The name center can even be linked to the to assist e-government.” Talal bin Said Al Mamari, mentioned,
ministry’s CRM system and can velocity up transactions and “Signing this agreement reflects the confidence of our customers
add extra accuracy in coping with current records data. These in the advanced services provided by Omantel. Today, we are
integrated options will assist ministry’s officers’ entry common pleased to have the Ministry of Social Development join the list
reviews on the efficiency of the models and name center staff. of government agencies benefiting from our state-of-the-art ICT
Such reviews will allow them to observe up the efficiency indicators solutions. Omantel is keen to provide the latest technologies and
in keeping with administrative insurance policies associated to communications solutions and leverage its vast experience and
the general public sector. Commenting on the signing of this capabilities to ensure that the Ministry achieves the maximum
settlement, Laila Al Najjar mentioned, “Through this agreement, benefit from this project. I am confident that this cooperation will
we intend to upgrade the services and operational processes enhance government’s efforts towards digitizing governance and
of the Ministry. We seek to benefit from the solutions and cloud will link various public organizations.” (October 21, 2021) newsdeal.in
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