Policy Brief
5 · 2018
Conclusion
In the midst of a democratic transition, Myanmar is trying to
utilize ICT and digital technologies to jump-start its
development. The potential for ICT to do so is great, but so
are the risks inherent in connecting to the Internet. Due to its
fragile political state, turbulent regional politics and fraught
social cohesion Myanmar faces a set of unique challenges.
Building cyber security is paramount to avoid a scenario wherein
digital technologies act as a catalyst of destructive forces, and
not as a vehicle for development. Expanding and developing
cyber security capabilities should therefore be a priority as
key financial and governmental functions are moved online,
otherwise the digitalization of Myanmar risks being a curse
disguised as a blessing.
4
Endnotes
1) (Klimburg, Zylberberg, 2016).
2) Ibid
3) (ITU, 2012).
4) http://systemtransformation-sdg.gesi.org/160608_GeSI_
SystemTransformation.pdf
5) Schia, Niels Nagelhus. 2017. ”The Cyber Frontier and digital
pitfalls in the Global South”. Third World Quarterly.
6) (http://systemtransformation-sdg.gesi.org/160608_GeSI_
SystemTransformation.pdf )
7) (Calderaro).
8) ( http://www.ictworks.org/2015/09/30/wow-myanmar-isgoing-straight-to-smartphones/ )
9) (SWIA).
10) Ibid
11) (https://www.wavemoney.com.mm/about-us/).
12) https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/projectdocument/161546/47158-001-tacr-01.pdf
13) (Klimburg, Zylberberg, 2016).
14) Ibid
15) (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/12/
global-cyber-attack-ransomware-nsa-uk-nhs).
16) (https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2017/
May/in-wake-of-wannacry-attacks--un-cybersecurity-expert-
discusses-internet-safety.html).
17) (Klimburg, Zylberberg).
18) (Citizen Lab, https://targetedthreats.net/).
19) (Calderaro
20) (Calderaro).
21) (https://www.hrw.org/report/2013/05/19/reformingtelecommunications-burma/human-rights-and-responsibleinvestment-mobile).
22) (Calderaro).
23) (ASPI, 2016).
24) (BMI research, 2016).
25) (SWIA).
26) (SWIA).
27) SWIA
28) Arbor Networks
29) (https://rsf.org/en/news/stop-cyber-attacks-againstindependent-burmese-media ).
30) (http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/01/the-perils-ofburmas-internet-craze/)
31) (https://www2.fireeye.com/rs/fireye/images/rpt-apt30.
pdf)
32) (https://www.scmagazineuk.com/trochilus-rat-targetsgovernment-of-myanmar/article/531356/)
33) (ASPI, 2016)
34) (WDR 2016: 208).
35) Kshetri – third world quarterly
36) (ASPI, 2016)
37) (ASPI, 2016).
38) (SWIA).
39) (ASPI).
40) (ASPI, 2016)
41) Ibid.
NUPI
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
C.J. Hambros plass 2D
PO Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
www.nupi.no | post@nupi.no
Established in 1959, the Norwegian Institute
of International Affairs [NUPI] is a leading
independent research institute on international
politics and areas of relevance to Norwegian
foreign policy. Formally under the Ministry of
Education and Research, NUPI nevertheless
operates as an independent, non-political
instance in all its professional activities.
Research undertaken at NUPI ranges from shortterm applied research to more long-term basic
research.
About the Authors:
Lars Gjesvik is a research assistant in the
Research group for Security and Defence,
working mainly on cybersecurity.
Niels Nagelhus Schia is a senior research fellow
at NUPI and head of NUPI’s Cyber Security Centre