Kyrgyzstan Hosts CSTO International Conference on Cybersecurity

On June 19, the 1st International Conference on Cybersecurity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization started in Kyrgyzstan.

Kamchybek Tashiyev, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, opened the conference. The delegations from all the CSTO Member States, as well as representatives of the CIS and SCO, attended the event.

In his speech, Kamchybek Tashiyev underlined that cybersecurity is becoming one of the priority areas of national and regional security. He pointed out that the conference serves as a unique platform for sharing experience and finding practical solutions, which will help not only develop theoretical approaches, but also identify specific steps to strengthen the digital sustainability of the CSTO countries.

Imangali Tasmagambetov, CSTO Secretary General, took part in the event.

In his speech, Tasmagambetov remarked that the world is moving towards digitalization, and in the nearest future many vital areas will be controlled by digital algorithms. This poses a serious threat of external interference and system failures at critical infrastructure facilities, from energy enterprises to missile launch control systems.

Secretary General emphasized that if a country dismisses international law and acts unilaterally, it will rely on a "rule-based order of its own making" in cyberspace as well. Not abiding by the international legal framework in cyberspace area provokes the emergence of new cyber threats.

"Cyberspace has already become the fifth–in addition to land, sea, air and space–domain of confrontation between various political and military forces," Tasmagambetov pointed out.

The attendees paid special attention to the national cyber exercises held as part of the conference. During those practical exercises, specialists learned how to use joint algorithms for responding to cyber attacks, coordinate between countries, protect the critical infrastructure and minimize the consequences of digital threats.

The conference brought together more than 150 participants–heads and experts from law enforcement agencies, national cyber security centers, representatives of IT companies and government organizations involved in digital security.

Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed its aspiration to create a single secure digital space in the region and its willingness to become a platform for future relevant initiatives.