Financial Crime World

Kazakhstan’s Cybersecurity Efforts Pay Off Amid Rising Threats

Astana, Kazakhstan

The Kazakh government’s efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure have paid off in the face of a 15% increase in cybercrime and information security threats in the first half of 2021.

Rising Threats, Improved Security

According to KZ-CERT, Kazakhstan’s national Computer Emergency Response Team, the country registered 11,432 cybercrime and information security threats in the first six months of this year. Botnets, Trojan horses, and computer viruses are among the most common malicious software used by cybercriminals to attack computers in Kazakhstan.

However, despite the increasing threats, the Kazakh government’s Cyber Shield concept has helped to significantly lower cyber risks. Established in 2017, Cyber Shield is a comprehensive program aimed at monitoring and responding to cyber threats.

Key Initiatives

  • Cyber Shield: A comprehensive program that monitors and responds to cyber threats.
  • National Information Security Coordination Center (NISCC): Established in 2018 to protect information resources and critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
  • State Technical Service of Kazakhstan: Built the capability to deter and prevent nearly 1 million cyberattacks daily.

Education and Awareness

The Kazakh authorities are also focusing on training cybersecurity specialists and educating the public about information security. To address a shortage of trained IT professionals, the government has introduced cyber-focused scholarships for university students.

  • Cyber-Focused Scholarships: Introduced to train more cybersecurity specialists.
  • Public Education Campaigns: Launched to increase awareness about cybersecurity threats.

Voluntary Cyber Insurance

The Kazakh government has introduced voluntary cyber insurance for the first time in the country’s history. This initiative authorizes financial compensation for property damage to legal entities resulting from cyberattacks or data leaks.

Conclusion

Kazakhstan’s Cyber Shield program has been successful in reducing cyber risks, but the country must continue to invest in educating its citizens and civil servants about cybersecurity to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. Public awareness about cybersecurity threats has increased significantly, with 78% of respondents now aware of basic cybersecurity threats such as phishing and online fraud.

By continuing to prioritize education, training, and public awareness, Kazakhstan can maintain its strong cybersecurity posture and protect its citizens from the growing threat of cybercrime.