Cybersecurity and AI Development Discussed with Palo Alto Networks in Astana

A working meeting took place in the capital between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev and a delegation from global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks. The visit by company representatives, including Regional Vice President Vedat Tufekci, was devoted to reviewing interim cooperation results and defining strategic plans for the long term.

During the discussion, the parties reviewed the implementation of the Memorandum signed earlier in Washington within the C5+1 format. Particular attention was paid to the development of a unified CyberShield cybersecurity architecture. Zhaslan Madiyev emphasised that for Kazakhstan, establishing reliable digital sovereignty and transitioning to a proactive model for the protection of critical infrastructure are strategic priorities. In this regard, the ministry welcomes the adoption of platform-based approaches that provide real-time risk visibility and enable the secure deployment of AI technologies in government and corporate processes.

An important outcome of the meeting was a review of educational initiatives. To date, the cooperation has already yielded practical results: training has been launched for students at five of the country's leading universities — KBTU, SDU, Coventry University Kazakhstan, De Montfort University Kazakhstan, and AUES — and on 7 April the official opening of the Palo Alto Networks cybersecurity academy at Astana IT University took place. In addition, more than 30 specialist engineers from the public and quasi-public sectors have completed professional training to international standards.

The parties also discussed current pilot projects being implemented in government agencies. Testing of modern endpoint protection (XDR), security operations centre automation, and cloud technology (SASE) solutions enables an objective assessment of the applicability of global practices to Kazakhstan's national needs.

Concluding the meeting, participants outlined steps to develop a joint action plan for the next five years. This will encompass not only technology exchange and the development of national expertise but also joint work on the regulatory framework — in particular, the development of up-to-date security requirements for AI and cloud solutions, ensuring the resilience of the country's digital ecosystem in the face of evolving global challenges.

Background: Palo Alto Networks is one of the world's leading cybersecurity companies, headquartered in California. The company specialises in the use of artificial intelligence and automation to protect networks, cloud environments, and end devices. In Kazakhstan, engagement with the company covers an educational track, the sharing of expertise in critical infrastructure protection, and the pilot deployment of protective technologies.