Kathmandu : As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, the necessity for diverse leadership in defending digital frontiers has moved from a goal to a security requirement. To address this, the CAN Federation Software and Services Committee, in collaboration with the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Innovation (CSRI Nepal) and the Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCERT), successfully hosted the landmark event: “Empowering Women for a Secure Digital Future: Building Cybersecurity Leaders.” Held at the Texas College of Management and IT in Sifal, Kathmandu, the event served as a critical platform to bridge the gender gap in the Nepalese tech industry and foster a new generation of female cybersecurity professionals.
A Call for Holistic Security: Self-Defense and Digital Protection The session was chaired by Mr. Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of CAN Federation. In his address, Adhikari emphasized that women’s empowerment must extend beyond the digital realm. Referring to recent tragic events in Surkhet, he highlighted the urgent need for self-defense training alongside digital security education. He stated that the primary objective of the event was to showcase and elevate existing women leaders to inspire others to join the frontlines of cybersecurity.
Leadership and Visionary Remarks The program commenced with welcome remarks from Dr. Suman Thapaliya, IT Director of Texas College, followed by a series of powerful addresses:
• Ms. Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, President of CAN Federation, delivered the opening remarks, focusing on the strategic importance of female inclusion in ICT.
• Mr. Chandra Bilash Bhurtel, General Secretary of CAN Federation, reinforced the federation’s commitment to supporting software and service innovation through diverse talent.
• Ms. Sheela Karkee Kanskar, Chair of the Software and Services Committee, closed the event by reiterating that women’s participation is vital for the overall development of Nepal’s ICT sector.
Expert Technical Sessions and Keynotes The event featured high-level technical insights from industry veterans:
• Keynote Address: Ms. Roja Kiran Basukala, Deputy Director at the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), spoke on “Women Leading the Frontlines of Cybersecurity,” detailing how diverse leadership leads to more resilient national security frameworks.
• Career Pathways: Mr. Suman K. Sharma, Executive Director of Insight Technology, discussed “Breaking Barriers,” providing a roadmap for women to navigate career pathways in cybersecurity.
• Emerging Threats: Ms. Mona Nyachhyon, Founder of Monal Tech, addressed the need for diverse perspectives to tackle increasingly sophisticated global cyber threats.
Interactive Panel Discussion The highlight of the morning was an interactive panel featuring Ms. Roja Kiran Basukala, Mr. Suman K. Sharma, Ms. Mona Nyachhyon, and Ms. Bandana Sharma (Division Head at Nepal Bank Limited). The panel explored the intersection of banking security, regulatory challenges, and the unique strengths women bring to risk management and threat intelligence.
