KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has instructed the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) to prepare criteria in regard with the digital system-related equipment and software for the construction and purchase purposes and implement it.

The Information Technology Emergency Assistance Group Operation and Management Directive Committee under the Ministry has directed the National Information Technology Center to regularly update the IT technology and data stored in the Government Integrated Data Center into the ‘disaster recovery center’ by expanding its capacity.

The committee meeting also agreed to send a letter to all government bodies seeking the assignment of one employee as the Contact Officer who will coordinate for the cybersecurity as per the provision made by the IT Emergency Assistance Group Operation and Management Directive’s Clause 10(7)-2075 BS.

According to the Ministry, the meeting decided to request bodies concerned to set up Cyber Security Simulation and Research Lab in two areas: financial and telecommunications for the time being as per the ‘ Simulation and Testing’ for the cybersecurity in thematic areas.

Similarly, the Committee has directed the Center to prepare an approach letter along with ‘cap analysis’ to promote the existing National Cyber Security Monitoring Sector into the ‘NCRT Operation Center’ of the international standard.

It has also agreed to direct the National Information Technology Emergency Assistance Group to identify sectors for the formation of the IT Emergency Assistance Group and present a list about it in the next meeting.

Likewise, the meeting has decided to obtain membership in ‘Asia Pacific CERT’ and other regional and international organizations so as to increase its access to the international level.