Parents and children will be offered practical sessions on cyberbullying and online gaming risks at CYBER STEPPE 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, on September 11. The public program will also welcome students and teachers, with interactive exercises designed to help participants recognize digital threats, DKNews.kz reports.
The two-day conference opened on September 10 at the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Organized by MSSP Global with ministry support, it forms part of the country’s national Cybersecurity Month.
Practical support for parents and children
The second day focuses on everyday online safety. Organizers plan to explain the risks in accessible language and give participants opportunities to test their knowledge through exercises and quizzes.
Sessions will cover cyberbullying and threats encountered in online games. A locally developed digital training tool will also be presented in Kazakh and Russian.
Parents will have a dedicated question-and-answer session with experts. The program also includes a lecture tracing conflicts between hacker groups from 2011 to 2026.
Businesses examine unauthorized AI use
The September 10 program focuses on government agencies and businesses, examining how organizations can move beyond formal compliance to strengthen their ability to detect and respond to cyberattacks.
One topic is “shadow AI”—employees using artificial intelligence tools without their organization’s approval. Experts will discuss the associated risks alongside the potential benefits and dangers of using AI in security systems.
Other sessions address the economics of outsourced cybersecurity services, legal barriers to procuring integrated security solutions for government bodies, and communication during cyber incidents.
Technical workshops will examine attacks on large language models, AI-assisted phishing detection, and advanced persistent threats: sophisticated, sustained attacks against specific targets.
A national push for safer digital habits
Opening the conference, Doszhan Musaliyev, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, linked public education to legislative changes:
“This year, the Digital Code and the Law on Cybersecurity entered into force. Legislation on personal data protection has been improved. For the first time, the Labor Code establishes cybersecurity and cyberculture responsibilities for employers and employees. Cybersecurity Month was announced as a natural continuation of this work. Throughout the month, public awareness campaigns, cybersecurity lessons, regional forums and practical events are taking place across the country. Activities range from the Cyber Steppe conference, which opens the month, to KazHackStan 2026, which will conclude it. Our main goal is to teach citizens to recognize online fraud and cyberthreats, take responsibility for their personal data, and use digital services safely.”
Organizers expect more than 3,000 participants across the two days: over 2,000 attending in Astana and more than 1,000 online connections from Almaty, Shymkent and other regions. More than 20 speakers and experts are scheduled to take part.
The cybersecurity discussion will continue at KazHackStan 2026 later this month. Our report on cybersecurity’s growing role in Kazakhstan’s AI agenda explains the conference program and its connection to the country’s wider technology initiatives.
