The International Cybersecurity Summit of Central Eurasia (CSS 2026) took place in Tashkent from October 5 to 7, gathering over 600 participants from more than 30 countries. Delegates discussed the protection of critical infrastructure, the security of digital systems and businesses, as well as new threats associated with technological progress.
The event was organized by the Uzbekistan Cybersecurity Center in collaboration with the British company Dialogue Events. The summit served as a platform for exchanging international experience, discussing modern solutions, and strengthening professional ties among cybersecurity specialists.
Topics discussed included the changing nature of global cyber threats, methods for protecting information systems and personal data, and the secure use of digitalization opportunities. Participants emphasized the importance of international cooperation, noting that cyberattacks can affect organizations and states beyond their original territory.
Benedict Boreyted, Deputy Director of the Department of Peace, Stability and Security of the French organization Expertise France, presented the organization's experience in implementing cybersecurity projects in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. She noted that this was her second participation in the summit and stressed that holding an event of this scale in Uzbekistan demonstrates growing interest in discussing modern solutions in this field.
Boreyted highlighted that interaction between Europe and Central Asia allows for the pooling of knowledge and experience from different countries, adapting effective solutions to local conditions. In her opinion, the global nature of cyber threats requires coordinated approaches and close interaction.
Elman Muradov, representative of the National Cybersecurity Agency of Azerbaijan under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, also noted the importance of the forum as a platform for exchanging views and professional experience between specialists from Central Asia and other regions.
One of the key events of the summit was the Cyberkent 4.0 competition, which took place on October 5–6. The goal of the competition was to test the practical skills of participants, identify talented specialists, and increase youth interest in cybersecurity. The competition attracted over 2500 participants and guests.
The competition program covered seven areas: Red Team, Blue Team, open tasks, CyberQuiz competition, Bug Bounty, Cybermergan, and the Cybermuloqot seminar/training. In the Red Team competition, participants performed tasks related to system security testing and vulnerability identification. For this, the organizers prepared the Cyberkent model, recreating an environment based on 24 real addresses, which allowed for simulating scenarios similar to practical information system security assessment conditions.
Blue Team participants, in turn, practiced defending virtual infrastructure, detecting cyberattacks, preventing incidents, and mitigating their consequences. These tasks required technical competence, rapid analysis, and coordinated teamwork. The international format of the competition facilitated experience exchange with colleagues from other countries.
Belarusian representative Alexey Tsymbalau noted that the cross-border nature of cyber threats makes professional contacts and joint efforts particularly important. He reported that two Belarusian teams participated in the competition this year, gaining the opportunity to test their skills and acquire new experience.
Kuyoshbek Mirzakamolov, Head of Information Security at Enersok and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the company, who attended the summit for the second time, emphasized the need to unite specialists to find solutions to emerging threats, including those related to artificial intelligence development. He also pointed out the practical value of Red Team and Blue Team scenarios for checking security measures and preparing for potential attacks.
Other activities of Cyberkent 4.0 included the CTF Master open task, which tested participants' technical knowledge and problem-solving skills, and The AI Underworld, dedicated to analyzing threats and attack scenarios using artificial intelligence. In the Attack Surface AI category, participants identified potential vulnerabilities in AI-based systems and assessed their security. The Bug Bounty category focused on vulnerability discovery. CyberQuiz allowed participants to test their knowledge in cybersecurity and interact with industry representatives. Over 200 prizes, including souvenirs, were awarded to CyberQuiz participants. Cybermergan consisted of game challenges testing accuracy and reaction speed. The Cybermuloqot seminar and training were designed to facilitate experience exchange between young participants and industry professionals.
The combination of discussions on international approaches to cybersecurity and practical skill testing within CSS 2026 and Cyberkent 4.0 aimed at developing the professional community, strengthening cooperation, and preparing specialists to counter modern digital threats.
