EU powers cyber resilience in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

National cybersecurity assessments of four Central Asian countries, 585 trained cybersecurity specialists and officials, stronger capabilities of SOCs and CERTs, and 4,649 people trained in cyber hygiene in Kyrgyzstan – these are among the key results of cybersecurity capacity-building activities implemented by eGA with European Union support under the Global Gateway initiative in Central Asia since 2025.

“EU–Central Asia relations have grown significantly in recent years, developing into a strong, many-sided and forward-looking partnership. By combining European cybersecurity expertise with regional priorities, we have aimed to build stronger cyber resilience, trusted digital environments and lasting partnerships,” said Merle Maigre, Head of the Cybersecurity Competence Centre at eGA, while presenting the results of the cooperation at the Central Asia Cybersecurity Summit in Tashkent.

As part of Team Europe eGA has focused on collaboration with the government organisations in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to strengthen cybersecurity governance and legal frameworks, develop skills of cybersecurity professionals, raise public awareness of cyber hygiene, and connect Central Asian experts with European and international cybersecurity networks.

The activities are supported by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative under the Cybersecurity Component of the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia.

More specifically, the  key results of cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan 2025-2026 are:

• Cybersecurity gaps and opportunities identified and priorities mapped

Effective cybersecurity starts with understanding the risks and opportunities. eGA prepared national cybersecurity baseline studies for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, together with overall  regional analysis cybersecurity capacities.

The baseline studies examined cybersecurity governance and legislation, critical information infrastructure protection, CERT/CSIRT capabilities, as well as cybersecurity awareness and education. Based on research, stakeholder interviews and field visits, they provided practical recommendations for policymakers and cybersecurity institutions and provided a good foundation for targeted support in the region.

• Practical recommendations for cybersecurity governance and legislation

eGA experts provided practical recommendations for national cybersecurity legislation and strategies. This included requirements for protecting critical information infrastructure and conducting cybersecurity audits in Kyrgyzstan, as well as recommendations for Tajikistan’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.

Helping officials strengthen their understanding of international approaches and good practices, eGA also provided trainings on the National Cyber Security Index and international law in cyberspace.

• 585 cybersecurity professionals and officials trained

Technical capacity building has strengthened the practical skills of cybersecurity professionals covering CERT certification and accreditation, ISO 27001, computer forensics, and participation in technical cyber exercises.

So far, 585 cybersecurity specialists and government officials have participated in various training activities. While these figures are important, they are more significant as evidence of maintaining quality and momentum with delivering tangible results in cybersecurity.

• 4,649 people trained in cyber hygiene in Kyrgyzstan

Building cyber resilience requires people to have some basic digital literacy to understand digital risks and know how to protect themselves online. In Kyrgyzstan, eGA focused on training the trainers from the Data Protection Agency, who then delivered cyber hygiene sessions in 40 locations across the country, reaching 4,649 people and helping to improve the overall digital literacy and online safety.

• Stronger international cybersecurity networks

The project also invested in cooperation beyond national borders. Cybersecurity professionals and officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have participated in study visits to Estonia, and Finland, as well as in the Tallinn Cyber Diplomacy Summer School and Cyber Capacity-Building Fellowship programme.

Strong professional networks help countries exchange knowledge, learn from international incidents and build more coordinated responses to shared cybersecurity challenges.

Through EU support and eGA’s practical cybersecurity expertise, partners in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan moved forward in strengthening sustainable national capabilities: stronger cybersecurity governance, institutions better equipped to manage cyber risks, professionals with stronger skills to prevent and respond to cyber incidents, and people who are more aware of digital risks and online safety. We at eGA believe, that these capabilities provide an important foundation for secure digital development and trusted digital services across Central Asia.