Kyrgyzstan expanded cyber hygiene skills through a nationwide training programme
Around 7,000 teachers and healthcare workers across Kyrgyzstan have completed a nationwide introductory cyber hygiene training programme designed to improve digital literacy, strengthen cyber hygiene skills, and support safer handling of personal data.
The programme was developed and implemented by the State Agency for Personal Data Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic in cooperation with the e-Governance Academy (eGA) as part of the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia, supported by the European Union under the Global Gateway initiative.
From Estonian experience to nationwide action
As Kyrgyzstan continues its digital transformation, equipping public institutions and citizens with the skills needed to participate safely in the digital world has become an essential part of resilient digital development.
The training programme, titled “Digital Caravan”, was built on knowledge and practical experience gained during a study visit to Estonia, where specialists from the e-Governance Academy (eGA) and Estonian experts in adult education, healthcare training, and personal data protection shared practical methods for promoting cyber hygiene and digital literacy. eGA experts shared their best practices from similar training programmes conducted by eGA in Georgia, Moldova, and Estonia.
Practical training reached every region
The cyber hygiene training programme was delivered in more than 40 locations. Special attention was given to professionals working outside major cities, ensuring that teachers and healthcare workers in smaller towns and rural areas could also participate.
The programme focused on professionals who work with citizens’ personal data every day. Teachers are responsible for information about children and families, while healthcare workers manage sensitive medical records. For both groups, safe digital practices are an important part of professional responsibility.
Participants learned how to protect personal data, use digital services safely, recognise phishing messages, secure online accounts, and respond to common cyber threats.
“We were given a very clear explanation of how to protect our accounts, avoid scammers’ tricks, and recognise fraud in time. As teachers, we have a responsibility to stay vigilant, but the psychological methods used by cybercriminals are truly surprising. Most importantly, this knowledge will be useful not only at work but also at home. I realised that children should start learning about online safety and digital hygiene as early as primary school,” Nazgul, a teacher from a school in Bishkek, who took part in the training, pointed out.
Building a culture of online safety
The completion of the cyber hygiene training programme marks an important step towards building a stronger culture of online safety in Kyrgyzstan.
“Protecting personal data has become an essential part of the professional responsibility of everyone working with citizens’ information. The Digital Caravan demonstrated the strong demand for practical training in digital literacy and cybersecurity among public institutions. We are proud that this initiative reached every region of Kyrgyzstan and provided professionals with practical knowledge and tools for working safely in the digital environment,” emphasised Kutman Omurzakov, Director of the State Agency for Personal Data Protection.
Through the Team Europe Initiative, eGA supports public institutions in Kyrgyzstan and across Central Asia by strengthening the skills and expertise needed to build secure and resilient digital societies. The training programme demonstrates how international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and practical capacity building can create a lasting impact.
