Chiranjibi Adhikari elected senior vice president of CAN Federation

KATHMANDU: Renowned cybersecurity expert and ICT leader Chiranjibi Adhikari has been unanimously elected as the Senior Vice President of Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation). This marks a significant milestone in his two‐decade‐long contribution to Nepal’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

Alongside Adhikari’s election, other notable leaders were elected to various positions within CAN Federation, including Thakur Kumar Shrestha as Secretary for Koshi Province, Narayan Shrestha as Secretary for Lumbini Province, Keshav Bhattarai as Secretary for the Institutional Category, and Dipendra Poudel as Secretary for the Individual Category.

Last year, Adhikari was honoured with the prestigious ICT Excellence Award 2024, which was presented by former Chairman of the Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi during a special ceremony organised by Chandralok Foundation. The recognition acknowledged his continuous efforts in advancing Nepal's cybersecurity and ICT landscape.

A resident of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Adhikari is widely respected for his expertise in cybersecurity and networking. Holding numerous international certifications, he has authored multiple research articles in national and international journals, focusing on key areas such as information security, IT governance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, and information security management systems (ISMS). With over 21 years of experience in the ICT sector, he has established himself as a pioneering figure in Nepal’s cybersecurity field.

His dedication to public education on cybersecurity has led him to conduct more than 500 cybersecurity awareness programmes across Nepal. These initiatives have played a critical role in enhancing digital literacy and safety practices among community schools, government bodies, and private sector institutions. His efforts have significantly strengthened Nepal’s cybersecurity infrastructure while inspiring thousands of young professionals to pursue careers in the field.

Beyond his current role as Senior Vice President and former General Secretary of CAN Federation, Adhikari has been instrumental in founding several key ICT organisations in Nepal, including the Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCert), the Centre for Cybersecurity Research and Innovation (CSRI), and the Information Security Response Nepal. He also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of One Cover, a leading cybersecurity firm in Nepal, and contributes to academia as a lecturer at Softwarica College of IT & E-Commerce and Texas College of Management & IT.

The newly elected Senior Vice President of CAN Federation has been a vocal advocate for youth empowerment and Nepal’s ICT startup culture. His leadership and mentorship have helped many young professionals and innovators find their path in the rapidly evolving technology industry. Upon receiving the ICT Excellence Award 2024, Adhikari expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Nepal’s digital future.

Meanwhile, the new leadership team is expected to guide CAN Federation into a more dynamic and inclusive digital era for Nepal, fostering growth in the ICT sector and strengthening the country's cybersecurity infrastructure.