Kazakhstan continues to build its digital infrastructure defense system amidst rising global cyber threats. Issues of cybersecurity and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies have become central to the state's agenda, El.kz reports.
Zhaslan Madiev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development held a working meeting with a delegation from Palo Alto Networks. The parties reviewed current interactions and identified key areas for further partnership. Special attention was paid to the resilience of digital infrastructure.
Unified defense architecture and digital sovereignty
The discussion centered on the implementation of the memorandum signed earlier in Washington as part of the "C5+1" format. One of the key focuses was the development of the "CyberShield" unified cybersecurity architecture.
Zhaslan Madiev noted that establishing digital sovereignty remains a priority for Kazakhstan. This involves transitioning to a proactive model for protecting critical infrastructure and implementing solutions that allow for real-time risk monitoring.The meeting also covered the implementation of platform-based approaches that ensure the secure use of AI technologies in government and corporate processes.
Education and Specialist Training
One of the practical outcomes of the cooperation has been the development of educational initiatives. Cybersecurity training has already been launched at five of the country's leading universities.
These include KBTU, SDU, Coventry University Kazakhstan, De Montfort University Kazakhstan, and AUPET (AUES). Additionally, a cybersecurity academy opened at Astana IT University on April 7.
In parallel, specialists for the public and quasi-public sectors are being trained. More than 30 specialized engineers have already completed training according to international standards.
Technology testing and pilot projects
The parties also discussed ongoing pilot projects being implemented in government agencies. As part of these initiatives, modern solutions for endpoint protection, security center automation, and cloud technologies are being tested.
These include tools such as XDR and SASE, which allow for an assessment of how international practices can be applied to national conditions. The results obtained will serve as the foundation for further technology deployment.
Five-year plans
Following the meeting, the participants agreed to develop a joint action plan for the next five years. This plan will include technological exchange, the development of national expertise, and the improvement of the regulatory framework.
Specifically, there are plans to develop security requirements for artificial intelligence and cloud solutions. This is intended to ensure the resilience of Kazakhstan’s digital ecosystem in the face of global challenges.
