DPEX Asia, One Cover sign MoU to enhance cybersecurity, data privacy

KATHMANDU: Data Protection Experts Asia Sdn Bhd (DPEX Asia), a leading consultancy based in Malaysia, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nepal’s top cybersecurity firm, One Cover, to enhance cybersecurity and data privacy across Asia. The strategic partnership will focus on drafting Nepal’s Personal Data Protection Bill, which is seen as vital for strengthening the country’s digital legal framework.  

Professor Abu Bakar Munir, Chairman of DPEX Asia, and Chiranjibi Adhikari, CEO of One Cover, signed the MoU. The collaboration aims to establish a benchmark for wider partnerships across Asian countries, where the demand for robust digital governance is increasingly critical.  

DPEX Asia brings extensive expertise in Personal Data Protection Regulation (PDPR) from nations including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Gulf region, while One Cover contributes valuable local insight into Nepal’s cybersecurity landscape and ICT policy frameworks. Together, their efforts will focus on key initiatives such as developing Nepal’s Personal Data Protection Bill, promoting cybersecurity awareness and standards, strengthening governance frameworks, and advocating for digital transformation in line with global best practices.  

Nepal’s rapid digital transformation has amplified the risks of data breaches and the misuse of personal information. Addressing these challenges, this partnership will integrate international expertise into Nepal’s policy-making process to ensure alignment with global frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Chiranjibi Adhikari, CEO of One Cover, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in preparing Nepal for its first data privacy legislation.  

DPEX Asia, founded in 2000 and incorporated in 2023, is a consultancy specialising in PDPR training, compliance, and cybersecurity services. Its core offerings include Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Privacy by Design (PbD), compliance audits, and cybersecurity training programmes. Operating across Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia, DPEX Asia is led by Professor Abu Bakar Munir and is dedicated to empowering governments and businesses to uphold privacy rights and establish secure digital ecosystems.  

One Cover, established in 2018 and based in Kathmandu, has become Nepal’s foremost provider of information security and risk management solutions. The firm offers services such as IT general control assessments, network and application security, and digital infrastructure risk management. It has worked with organisations like Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal Telecom, and IBM USA, building a reputation as a dependable partner in cybersecurity. One Cover is also actively involved in cyber alliances, including OWASP Nepal and npCert.  

Although the MoU between DPEX Asia and One Cover is not legally binding, it reflects a strong commitment to strengthening regional resilience against cyber threats and ensuring the protection of personal data. This partnership aims to position Nepal—and potentially other Asian nations—on a path towards GDPR-aligned privacy frameworks and advanced cybersecurity maturity.  

As Asian nations push for digital sovereignty, the collaboration between DPEX Asia and One Cover is expected to serve as a model for developing future-ready data protection policies. With shared objectives and robust expertise, the partnership has the potential to enhance cybersecurity resilience and pave the way for comprehensive digital governance across the region.