OSCE supports the first national cyberdrill in Kyrgyzstan

On 28 and 29 April 2021, the first national cyber drill exercise “Digital Kyrgyzstan 2021” was held in Bishkek. The event was organized by the Coordination Center for Cybersecurity of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic (CCCS SCNS) with support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the International Telecommunication Union. 

The purpose of this exercise was to provide participants with practical skills to carry out activities in identifying cyber threats, responding to cyber incidents, and strengthening the capacity of responsible authorities in safe data exchange. International experts working in the field of cybersecurity were invited to conduct practical exercises. The International Telecommunication Union, Group-IB company, and Kaspersky Lab provided cyber platforms, a virtual environment used for cyber training exercises.

Participants  were welcomed by Zhanybek Zhorobaev, Director of the CCCS SCNS, who noted the importance of the first national cyber drill exercise which is in line with strategic priorities laid out in the national Concept of Digital Transformation “Digital Kyrgyzstan 2019–2023” (“Sanarip Kyrgyzstan 2019–2023”) and Cybersecurity Strategy of the Kyrgyz Repu blic for 2019–2023.

Pierre von Arx, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, welcomed participants, highlighting the OSCE’s role in supporting participating States in addressing new threats and challenges in view of  the COVID-19 pandemic with many aspects of life moving online, from teleworking to the provision of state and educational services.

Noting that this new reality revealed the necessity to address new challenges and needs related to cybersecurity, von Arx said: “The international community has the duty to respond to these new dynamics and address the most pressing threats stemming from cyberspace to secure the stability of our societies. The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek remains committed to further supporting Kyrgyzstan in this area.”

The cyber drill aims to raise awareness about existing cyber threats and create pre-requisites for co-ordinated efforts of responsible ICT specialists across state bodies, banks, universities, and other stakeholders operating in the field of information security. The drill also provided a platform for discussing and developing practical mechanisms for interactions with the CCC SCNS. The event contributes to creating a favorable environment for further implementation of projects on digitalization and strengthening the public-private partnership in developing and shaping inclusive and safe Internet policy in Kyrgyzstan.