OSCE holds sub-regional training event on cyber/ICT security in Astana

On 22 and 23 May, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department organized a regional training event on cyber/ICT security in Astana, Kazakhstan. The training was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In his opening remarks, Askar Zhambakin, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan said “I believe this event will serve as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of cyber/ICT security”.

Twenty-two participants from Central Asia, South Caucasus and Mongolia participated in the event, strengthening their understanding of cyber/ICT security as an international policy field and discussing the effective implementation of the OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures.

“Using opportunities to share your national updates focusing on policy, new legislation and recent good practices relevant to cyber/ICT security and reflecting on the role of confidence-building measures does contribute to the promotion of greater cyber resilience. This is a key element in building confidence between states to foster greater co-operation and stability,” added Paula Gilevska, Counselor for Defense Affairs at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of North Macedonia to the OSCE, on behalf of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia.

During the event, a scenario-based discussion was also held to promote enhanced national preparedness, crisis management and co-ordination mechanisms at the technical and policy levels as well as effective regional communication and co-operation in the event of a cyber incident.

“In 2017, the Ministers of all 57 OSCE participating States recommitted efforts to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies. OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures are a vital tool and the OSCE is an important platform to further the implementation of these measures,” said Kathy Leach, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The training event was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures” project, with the financial support of the United Kingdom.