National Bank: AI and digital payments require strengthened cybersecurity

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has emphasized the critical need to bolster cybersecurity measures as artificial intelligence and digital payments rapidly transform the financial landscape. At the CYBERFINANCE 2026 forum and cyber exercise in Bishkek, experts convened to address modern challenges in digital finance and citizen protection from online fraud.

Organized jointly by the National Bank, Iskhak Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Kaspersky Lab, and GreenLight LLC, the forum attracted over 120 participants from government, banking, international organizations, and IT companies. The discussions centered on the implications of AI, the growth of digital payments, and strategies to combat cyber fraud.

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We live in an era of digital transformation. Stablecoins, artificial intelligence, and digital payments are changing the familiar environment, opening up new opportunities for the development and increased accessibility of financial services. Cybersecurity issues are becoming not only a technological but also an economic challenge.

Sanzhar Abdygaziev, a board member of the National Bank, noted that while innovations like stablecoins and AI offer new opportunities for financial services, they also present significant economic and technological challenges. He stressed that AI, though a neutral tool, requires responsible use. The National Bank's objective is to create a regulatory environment that keeps pace with technological advancements, ensuring innovations develop safely and digital financial services remain secure for all citizens.

The forum also featured Capture the Flag (CTF) cyber exercises, where student teams practiced defending against realistic cyberattacks. Organizers hope these initiatives will contribute to nurturing a skilled workforce in information security, crucial for navigating the evolving digital financial world.

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Our goal is to create conditions in which innovations develop safely, and digital financial services remain reliable and secure for every citizen.