On April 23, 2026, Bishkek hosted a major forum dedicated to combating cybercrime and protecting citizens in the digital space. The event brought together government representatives, business leaders, and international experts - drawing over 1,000 viewers to its live stream, with participants reached across all seven regions of Kyrgyzstan.

CYBERTOR-2026 served as the region’s leading platform for tackling today’s most pressing cyber threats. Delegates from Russia and Belarus joined the forum, underlining its international scope. Discussions covered current fraud schemes, the growing role of AI and deepfakes, real-world case studies, and practical tools for protection.

International expertise came from Vladimir Gusev - Deputy Head of the Omsk Academy of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Doctor of Law, Professor, Police Colonel, and OSCE international expert:

“Cybercrime knows no borders. Fighting it effectively is only possible through close international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and the continuous development of specialist skills.”

The human cost of cybercrime was brought into sharp focus by blogger and BAKAI ambassador Meerim Tolepbergen, who shared her own experience:

“My face was used in a fraud scheme - someone took a clip from an interview, ran it through AI, and made a fake video about “easy earnings”. It’s nearly impossible to trace them. The whole operation is extremely professional.”

Financial security and digital literacy were central themes throughout the day.

“Cybercrime is growing more sophisticated as technology advances. But the important thing to remember is: criminals get caught and every person needs to be informed and know how to protect themselves,” said Ruslan Sharshembiey, Head of the Cyber Division of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

BAKAI's approach goes beyond technology.

“The bank has a full digital risk protection system in place - from transaction monitoring to identifying fake accounts. But our primary focus is education: we work with universities and explain exactly how fraudsters operate. Your security is ultimately in your own hands,” said Gulzhigit Zhalilov, Head of Information Security at BAKAI.

First Deputy Chairman of the BAKAI Management Board Marat Kakeev spoke to the broader mission:

“Today we are bringing together the efforts of government, business, and experts to stand against cybercrime. For BAKAI, this is not just a partnership - it is a conscious responsibility to protect our clients and strengthen the digital environment in this country.”

BAKAI Head of Marketing Aidai Mokusheva added:

“We run initiatives like this alongside the Ministry of Internal Affairs because today it's not just individuals who suffer - businesses do too. Our job is to join forces and stay ahead of the threat. This is a shared responsibility across the entire market.”

Attendees left the forum with both expert analysis and concrete, actionable tools for countering fraud - applicable at an organizational level and in everyday life.

CYBERTOR-2026 made one thing clear: effective action against cybercrime requires government, business, and society to move together. BAKAI will continue to support initiatives that build safety and trust in the digital world.